At this point, it’s unclear what rookie CB Joey Porter Jr. will have to do to earn the starting endorsement from Pittsburgh Steelers’ DC Teryl Austin. In the second half of Sunday’s win over the Baltimore Ravens, the team expanded Porter’s role beyond his usual dime package snaps. Porter essentially became a starter, playing in the team’s base 3-4 and nickel groupings.
He responded in a big way with a critical interception, the first of his career, off Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson on a 3rd and Goal play. It revived a deflated Steelers’ team following Gunner Olszewski’s punt return fumble and on the ensuing drive, QB Kenny Pickett hit WR George Pickens for a 41-yard score.