Porter to return to Steelers coaching staff

Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Joey Porter is returning to the team following his arrest Sunday night, the Steelers announced Friday. Porter was placed on leave after the incident.

“We have reviewed the available information regarding the incident that took place on Sunday night,” Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement sent to Channel 11 News. “We have also reviewed the communication from the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office indicating the intention of that office to withdraw all but the summary offense charges.”

The DA on Thursday announced that Porter will be charged with summary disorderly conduct and summary public drunkenness.

Pittsburgh Acting Police Chief Scott Schubert said while he would not directly comment on the DA's decision, he said he fully supports the arresting officer and the original filing of aggravated assault charges.

"I stand by the officer just as i would stand by an officer given the same circumstances. I reviewed it, and I don't think anything was done inappropriately. I think what he dealt with, he handled and filed the charges that he felt were necessary. And i think any officer put in those same shoes would have done the same thing," Schubert said.

Porter will return to the coaching staff for Sunday’s AFC divisional playoff game in Kansas City.

“We will await the outcome of the legal process and communicate further with the NFL regarding the Personal Conduct Policy before making any further decisions on potential discipline,” Rooney said.

Porter was arrested Sunday night at a bar in Pittsburgh’s South Side just hours after the Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins in the opening round of the NFL playoffs.

The Steelers also released a statement from Porter:

"I am grateful to be allowed to return to our coaching staff this weekend. I regret that I was involved in an incident that could have been a distraction to our team. Most importantly, I regret that I touched the police officer and I sincerely apologize for that action. Thankfully, no one was injured."

Cox Media Group