The Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie class has gotten plenty of hype this preseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But the question remains: will those guys get a chance to play significant snaps, especially early in the season?
Speaking to reporters today, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin was asked if rookie CB Joey Porter Jr. and rookie NT Keeanu Benton have gotten enough reps this summer.
‘I don’t know if they’ve gotten enough reps, but they’ve gotten enough reps where they’re ready to play and contribute and we’ll see how it all plays out as the season goes on.” Austin noted via the team website. “There’s always more reps we would’ve liked to give them, but with both of them missing a game in the preseason they probably haven’t gotten what we’d like. But I think they’ve gotten enough to be out on the field and help us.“
Porter Jr. has been a playmaker through the preseason. He had a nice interception against the Buffalo Bills and got involved in a forced fumble on Thursday against the Atlanta Falcons. With the Steelers having some snaps to fill at the corner spot, Porter Jr. will likely get game action sooner rather than later. He’s certainly looked the part of a starting corner so far, and although there are some aspects of his game that still need refining, his playmaking ability has clearly translated.
For Benton, Thursday’s preseason game was extra important after he missed the Steelers’ Week Two preseason bout. He didn’t play a ton but had some solid reps and looked like he belonged out on the field. Benton was considered one of the more NFL-ready prospects that the Steelers selected in this year’s draft, and the expectation has always been for him to play at least somewhat right away.
Despite both guys missing a game this preseason, the Steelers have made a point for both of them to see the field as much as possible. While being starters or not for this defense remains a question mark, all signs from the Steelers coaching staff have pointed to wanting to use both of these guys in heavy roles this season.
Porter Jr. and Benton will be thrown into the fire in Week One against a San Francisco 49ers team that has one of the best weapons rooms in the NFL. Benton will try to slow down RB Christian McCaffery, while Porter Jr. could see some time matched up with WRs Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk on the outside. That’s one heck of a test for your first NFL game.
