Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. is inactive for a third straight game as the Bengals visit

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is inactive for the third straight week.

The club made the decision on Sunday before taking on unbeaten Cincinnati (2-0). Porter had been listed as questionable after being limited in practice this week.

The fourth-year pro has been dealing with a back issue and is also in the middle of a contract stalemate with Steelers management over a new deal.

Porter was seeking an extension as he entered the final year of the rookie agreement he signed in 2023. One never materialized, and any new talks wouldn't start until the offseason, though Porter described his contract situation as “old news” on Thursday.

Steelers running back Rico Dowdle is also out. Dowdle injured his toe in last week's loss at New England.

Pittsburgh wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is active after sitting out against the Patriots with a foot issue.

Quarterbacks Drew Allar and Will Howard, running back Eli Heidenreich and defensive linemen Kevin Jobity and Gabriel Rubio are also inactive for Pittsburgh.

The revamped Cincinnati defensive front will be without veteran BJ Hill, who is out with an Achilles tendon injury. Cornerback Josh Newton, center Connor Lew, offensive tackle Myles Hinton, tight end Jack Endries and defensive tackle Landon Robinson are also inactive for the Bengals.

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