On Thursday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Joey Porter is expected to be back with the team “soon” after the Allegheny County District Attorney announced reduced charges against Porter to disorderly conduct and public drunkenness, both of which are summary charges.
Porter, who was placed on administrative leave by the Steelers on Monday after he was arrested Sunday night following an altercation that took place at a South Side establishment, was released Monday morning from jail after posting bail.
“I will start with a comment regarding Coach Porter’s situation. Obviously, it’s a disappointing one, an unfortunate one and one that we are dealing with, and we are dealing with it in an appropriate manner,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said at the start of his weekly Tuesday press conference. “To be involved in the NFL is an honor and a privilege. It’s not a right. We should respect it as such. Obviously that was breached in this circumstance, and there are consequences to be suffered because of it.
“The statement that we released yesterday is an accurate one, in that we have placed Coach Porter on leave, as we gather information regarding the incident. There is no timetable on that. We will do what is appropriate. In this league, we are all held to a standard of decorum, for players, but coaches, front office people, executives, even more so, and rightfully so. Obviously we are treating this with the attention that it deserves. We are not overly concerned with it being a distraction for us, to be quite honest with you.”
While Tomlin didn’t rule out Porter possibly being reinstated prior to the Steelers’ Sunday Divisional Round Playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs, at this point it seems unlikely to happen. In the meantime, Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler is coaching the team’s outside linebackers.
Should the Steelers beat the Chiefs on Sunday and advance to the AFC Championship game, it will interesting to see if Porter is reinstated to his coaching position ahead of that contest.
It should be noted that Rapoport doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to Steeler-related news and him using the word “soon” in his report in regards to Porter is a very subjective time frame to some.
UPDATE: Porter expected be coaching Sunday for Steelers per NFL.com report.
