One day after the reported signing of defensive back Daryl Porter Jr. following a tryout, the Pittsburgh Steelers officially announced the move Tuesday morning.
The Steelers also announced that they have waived tight end Kevin Foelsch, creating a roster spot for Porter.
The signing of Porter comes after the Steelers also worked out former Steelers cornerback C.J. Henderson, and Christian Holmes as the team is dealing with some injuries in the secondary. Third-year cornerback Cory Trice Jr. is expected to miss some time with a hamstring injury suffered last Friday at Latrobe Memorial Stadium, while Joey Porter Jr. has missed the last few practices, and rookie seventh-round pick Donte Kent was spotted in a walking boot Sunday.
Daryl Porter spent at West Virginia and Miami (FL) before going undrafted and signing with the Buffalo Bills but was waived by the team in July. He measured in at 5110, 184 pounds at his Pro Day, and clocked a 4.60 in the 40-yard dash and added a 36-inch vertical.
He is the son of Daryl Porter Sr., who was a sixth-round selection by the Steelers in the 1997 NFL Draft out of Boston College. The elder Porter never appeared in a game for the Steelers but did play five seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans.
Last season at Miami, Porter Jr. recorded 28 tackles and seven pass breakups, splitting time in the slot and on the perimeter. In his collegiate career, Porter recorded 108 tackles, 18 pass breakups and three interceptions.
Foelsch was part of a handful of rosters moves made one week ago, working out for the Steelers last Monday before signing with the team. He added tight end depth following the injury to undrafted free agent DJ Thomas-Jones.
The Steelers were Foelsch’s fifth team after going undrafted in 2024 out of the University of New Haven. He previously spent time with the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs before spending a week with the Steelers.
