Two Key Steelers Declared Out for Sunday's Matchup vs. Patriots
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Two Key Steelers Declared Out for Sunday's Matchup vs. Patriots originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Steelers head to Foxborough looking for a 2-0 start to the season, but the team will be without two important players for the game.
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While the Steelers are pretty healthy so far this season, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will not to available on Sunday. Both those players impact the passing game on either side of the ball, which is key against Drake Maye on offense and the Patriots defense.
Last year, Pittsburgh picked up a win over the Patriots on the road and was one of just four teams to beat New England on the year. It ended up being one of the team's biggest wins of the season, and the Steelers hope to replicate that success this week.
Here's the full Steelers injury report for this week.
Steelers injury report vs. Patriots
The Steelers listed just two players as out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, but both players are important pieces to the team. One is Joey Porter Jr., who will miss his second game of the season, and the other is Michael Pittman Jr., who is dealing with a foot injury.
Porter Jr. is out again amid a contract saga, as he and the Steelers haven't been able to come to terms on an extension. Pittsburgh put a deadline for negotiations on Week 1, and since that date has passed, it's unclear if Porter Jr. will return to the field for the Steelers or if the team will trade him.
As for Pittman Jr., the veteran wide receiver has a foot injury that will keep him off the field this week. Pittman was initially limited in practice on Wednesday, but he didn't practice on either Thursday or Friday as the injury didn't improve.
Steelers have downgraded Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) to OUT for tomorrow’s game vs. NE.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 19, 2026
Pittman popped up on the injury report Wednesday and DNP Thursday and Friday. He had an undisclosed lower-body injury during training camp that forced him to miss a significant chunk of time
The only other notable player on the injury report is Troy Fautanu, who is questionable fully practicing on Friday. He is dealing with an ankle injury.
Steelers WR depth chart
WRWRWRFirst teamDK MetcalfMichael Pittman Jr.Roman WilsonSecond teamBen SkowronekGermie BernardKaeden WetjenWith Pittman Jr. out, expect rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard to get his first extended action in the NFL. Bernard didn't record a catch in Week 1 and played just three offensive snaps as DK Metcalf, Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson got the bulk of playing time.
The other two wide receivers on the roster, Kaeden Wetjen and Ben Skowronek, played more on special teams but didn't appear on offense vs. Atlanta.