The Joey Porter Jr. era, in earnest, got underway Sunday.
The rookie selected No. 32 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers made his first NFL start during Sunay’s home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Porter was limited in practice Thursday and Friday because of a calf injury. Porter’s enhanced status on the depth chart on Sunday, though, was more attributable to starting outside cornerback Levi Wallace being inactive against Jacksonville because of a foot injury.
Porter over the prior two games had gradually been eating away at Wallace’s playing time opposite Patrick Peterson at outside corner. The first four games of the season, Porter mostly played as the sixth defensive back when the Steelers deployed their dime package. But when Porter has played, he’d performed well.
Porter on Sunday accepted the blame for Jacksonville’s only touchdown during their 20-10 win, a 56-yard catch and run by Travis Etienne.
Porter was on the field for all packages and situations throughout the game against the Jaguars.
The Steelers’ No. 4 outside cornerback, James Pierre, was in uniform Sunday despite missing Friday’s practice because of an ankle injury. Pierre came in throughout the game when the Steelers went to their dime package.
Porter, Wallace and Pierre all were listed as questionable Friday on the official status report.
The Steelers’ healthy scratches were offensive tackle Dylan Cook and nose tackle Breiden Fehoko. Mason Rudolph, as usual, was designated as the No. 3 emergency quarterback.
Jaguars inactives
Jaguars starting receiver Zay Jones on Friday was ruled out for Sunday’s game because of a knee injury. On Sunday, starting free safety Andre Cisco and starting cornerback Tyson Campbell were ruled out because of hamstring injuries.
Jacksonville’s healthy scratches were linebacker Yasir Abdullah, offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen and defensive end Tyler Lacy.
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