The Steelers are getting healthier in advance of their final preseason game on Thursday in Buffalo. But the big missing piece, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., remains on the PUP list and for the first time, coach Mike McCarthy used the word “impasse” when describing Porter’s contract situation. Porter is beginning the final year of his rookie contract and is working out on the sidelines but is not practicing with the team, officially because of a back injury.
Fellow defensive back Jaylen Ramsey was activated from the PUP list yesterday and practiced for the first time. Rookie first round draft choice Max Iheanachor returned to the practice field as well, along with third round choice Daylen Everette and fourth rounder Gennings Dunker. Also practicing after sitting out a number of days were veteran wide receivers DK Metcalfe and Michael Pittman Jr., and defensive back Brandin Echols.
Linebacker Payton Wilson did not practice, but the Steelers did not say why. Safety DeShon Elliott was given a day off to rest, while Jaquan Brisker, Sebastian Josehph-Day, and Brandon Smith sat out.
McCarthy says the video review of last Friday’s loss to the Jets shows plenty of mistakes, including two interceptions thrown by Will Howard. But he says those things happen with young players.
The coach says he and his coaching staff are beginning to zero in on the first game of the regular season, against the Falcons.
McCarthy says the practice today and the game on Thursday are important for younger players trying to make the Steelers’ roster.
The Steelers yesterday signed fullback Alex Tecza, a former Mount Lebanon and Naval Academy teammate of seventh round draft choice Eli Heidenreich. He tried out with them at rookie minicamp but they didn’t sign him then. They also signed cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau, an undrafted free agent who visited the team on Sunday.
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