The Pittsburgh Steelers opened Week 2 preparation with two very different availability questions: starting left tackle Troy Fautanu did not practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury, while cornerback Joey Porter Jr. continued his ramp-up with a limited session.
Fautanu briefly left Pittsburgh’s Week 1 win over Atlanta before returning, so the Wednesday absence puts a fresh spotlight on the ankle as the Steelers prepare to visit New England. Porter, meanwhile, was listed as limited for conditioning rather than a new injury after missing the opener.
Fautanu’s ankle becomes the key offensive-line issue
Fautanu’s ability to finish the Atlanta game was encouraging, but missing the first full practice of Patriots week means Pittsburgh still has to prepare for the possibility that its starting left tackle will be limited or unavailable Sunday.
The Steelers have practiced contingency plans across the line, and that flexibility was tested briefly in Week 1 when Fautanu exited. If he cannot play, Pittsburgh would need to adjust the tackle rotation protecting Aaron Rodgers against a New England defense that will be looking for a stronger pass-rush performance after losing its opener.
FSN’s recap of Pittsburgh’s 20-13 win over Atlanta showed how the Steelers leaned on a controlled offensive plan in the first game of the Rodgers-Mike McCarthy era. Keeping the protection structure stable is important if Pittsburgh wants to carry that approach into Foxborough.
Joey Porter Jr. is progressing toward game action
Porter’s situation is moving in the opposite direction. He was limited Wednesday with a non-injury-related conditioning designation as the Steelers continue increasing his workload.
Porter missed Week 1 after a back injury disrupted his training camp and preseason. The team’s current approach is less about treating a new problem and more about determining when he is ready for a full practice load and regular-season snaps.
Getting Porter back would be significant for a secondary that can use his size and man-coverage ability against New England’s receiving group. It would also give Pittsburgh more flexibility in how aggressively it pressures the quarterback because the coaching staff would have another proven outside corner available.
Michael Pittman Jr. is another name to monitor
Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was limited Wednesday with a foot injury. His status adds another offensive variable because Pittsburgh would prefer to have its full receiving rotation available while the line is already managing Fautanu’s ankle.
Tight end Darnell Washington also did not practice, though his absence was listed as personal rather than injury-related. That distinction matters because his Wednesday status does not necessarily indicate a health concern or a trend toward missing the game.
New England has its own availability questions
The Patriots’ first Week 2 report was not clean either. Cornerback Carlton Davis III and tackle Dametrious Crownover did not practice, while linebackers Dre’Mont Jones and Robert Spillane and offensive lineman Ben Brown were limited.
New England did get one notable positive development: running back TreVeyon Henderson practiced fully after missing Week 1 with an ankle injury. That creates a more complete backfield challenge for Pittsburgh if Henderson remains on track through the rest of the week.
What to watch next
Thursday practice should provide a clearer direction for both Fautanu and Porter. A limited return for Fautanu would be a meaningful improvement after Wednesday’s absence. Another DNP would increase the importance of Pittsburgh’s backup-tackle plan.
For Porter, the goal is the opposite: continue adding volume without a setback. If he moves from limited to full participation by Friday, the Steelers could be in position to get an important defensive starter back just as the offense manages a new protection concern.
The Steelers are 1-0, but Week 2 is already asking them to manage injuries on both sides of the ball. How Fautanu and Porter trend over the next two practices will shape the final lineup more than Wednesday’s labels alone.
Sources
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 2 injury report vs. Patriots (September 16, 2026)
- New England Patriots: Week 2 injury report vs. Steelers (September 16, 2026)
- NFL.com: Official Week 2 injury report (accessed September 17, 2026)