Steelers notes: Joey Porter Jr. shuts down Ja’Marr Chase, team emerges healthy

CINCINNATI – Ja’Marr Chase had his moment in his game-long matchup against Joey Porter Jr. So, the Cincinnati Bengals’ star receiver took advantage of it.

In the wake of a pretty 25-yard catch down the right sideline early during the third quarter of Sunday’s game against Porter’s Pittsburgh Steelers, Chase flexed in celebration in front of Porter, the Steelers’ high-profile rookie.

“He did that little flex,” Porter said after the game, “and I’m like, ‘All right, when I make my play I’m gonna do the same flex on him.’ But when I made my play I forgot to do it.

“So that just made me want to make another play. But that’s cool. I’m gonna see him again.”

Joey Porter lined up against Ja'Marr Chase on 24 of 28 routes (85.7%), aligning in press coverage on 10 routes (41.7%).

Chase caught both of his targets with Porter as the nearest defender, with both coming in tight windows in man coverage.#PITvsCIN | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/VL7BIheibI

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 26, 2023

Perhaps for a decade or so to come, Porter seemingly will. Though Sunday was just Porter’s fifth NFL start, he already is entrenched as the Steelers’ so-called “shutdown corner,” at least judging by the assignments given to him by coaches. Similar to how he followed Tennessee Titans star DeAndre Hopkins all over the field during the Nov. 2 Steelers win, Porter shadowed Chase on Sunday.

The Steelers won the game, and Chase was limited to four receptions, two of which were off balls tipped by the Steelers.

Chase entered the game among the top 10 in the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns during what is his third pro season. Chase was named to the Pro Bowl each of his first two seasons.

Porter got the last laugh via his team’s 16-10 win, even if Chase won the battle of the post-play trash talk.

“I’m always going to be a little upset when (receivers chirp him),” Porter said. “But it’s football at the end of the day. He’s gonna celebrate when he makes a catch. I’m going to celebrate when I get my turn.”

Short injury list

Calvin Austin III suffered an ankle injury late during Sunday’s game that coach Mike Tomlin said he “didn’t know the extent of.”

But that was the only injury referenced during Tomlin’s postgame remarks that had not resolved by the end of the game. Receiver George Pickens “had the wind knocked out of him” (per Tomlin) when he fell awkwardly in an attempt to corral a long pass from Kenny Pickett in the fourth quarter. But Pickens returned to the game, even making a game-high 43-yard catch less than 3 minutes of game time later.

In the locker room after the game, Pickens and Austin appeared unencumbered, in no pain and in good spirits.

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