Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. Excited For Another Challenge With Bills Superstar Receiver Stefon Diggs

The Pittsburgh Steelers wanted to ease their 32nd overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, Joey Porter Jr., into full-time NFL duty. Week after week early in the season, Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin went to the podium and told everyone it wasn't his time to start yet. Finally, after some suspect play from other cornerbacks, like Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace, Porter was elevated to a starting role for the team's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8. He hasn't let go of the spot and has even asked the coaching staff to put him against the opponent's top receiving options. 

Porter has shadowed DeAndre Hopkins, JaMarr Chase, Amari Cooper, and DK Metcalf in matchups since he's been elevated to the starting job. Metcalf was the only one to go over 40 yards against Porter in coverage. While meeting with the media this week in advance of his first career NFL playoff game, the 23-year-old expressed just how excited he is to get into the game on Sunday. 

“This is something I always want to check off the list, playing in the playoffs. There’s no better way to do it in the playoffs (than) versus a good team like that,” Porter said via Tim Benz of TribLive.com. “So, I’m going to do my job and try to do it well and put another guy on the list. I’m going to do my best to do what I do best, and that’s lock these guys down. I’m just excited for the matchup."

The other guy he would be referring to is Bills superstar receiver Stefon Diggs. The three-time Pro Bowler, since he arrived in Buffalo via trade from the Minnesota Vikings, was touted by Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin as an elite route runner in his Tuesday press conference. That will be something that Porter will have to stay on top of on Sunday. 

Steelers' Porter Has Big Challenge Ahead With Stefon Diggs

Diggs has had some big days against the Steelers since joining the Bills in the 2020 offseason. In his Buffalo debut against Pittsburgh, he caught 10 balls for 130 yards and a touchdown in a 26-15 win by the Bills. In their next meeting in Week 1 of 2021, the Steelers were able to slow him down a little, and he only amassed 69 yards on nine catches with no touchdowns in a 23-16 win for the Steelers. 

The last time Pittsburgh saw Diggs in a regular season matchup was in Week 5 of 2022, and he, along with the rest of the Bills offense, torched the Steelers in a 38-3 blowout win. He caught eight balls for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Diggs is having a down year by his standards in 2023. After leading the league in catches and yards in 2020, a drop-off was to be expected. He still collected 1,183 yards in 2023, but his average yards per game was down to 69.6, the lowest since his fourth season in Minnesota.   

"He's a wide receiver that likes to talk," Porter said of Diggs. "So, I'm going to be ready for that."  

Despite having a down season by his standards, he still presents a big problem. Locking down Diggs, especially with number two option Gabe Davis questionable for the game after he suffered a knee injury in Buffalo's season finale, will be essential. As the number from above demonstrates, keeping Diggs out of the end zone and limiting him on the stat sheet will be key for the Steelers if they want to keep this game within striking distance. Porter will play a big part in that. He's done well against some premier receiving talent in the league in his short time as a starter, and Diggs will present another big test on the biggest stage of his career.