Mike McCarthy finally admits truth behind Steelers’ standoff with Joey Porter Jr.

PITTSBURGH — Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has yet to participate in a practice this season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as he’s been on the physically unable to perform list since the first day of training camp, with what was reported as a back injury.

But Porter and the Steelers have also been in the midst of contentious contract negotiations, and it always seemed awfully convenient that Porter’s back has acted up at exactly the time that he’s trying to land a new deal from the team.

Asked about the status of his star cornerback on Monday, Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy did not even give lip service to Porter’s supposed back injury, talking instead only about the ongoing contract talks between the player and the team.