Luckily, second-year star CB Joey Porter Jr. was able to make his way back to the lineup. Keeanu Benton, however, did not return.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense appears to be in trouble late in Week 11, as second-year star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and DT Keeanu Benton both exited the game in the fourth quarter with apparent lower-body injuries.
It marked Porter Jr.’s second departure from the game, having already exited the lineup briefly in the third quarter due to what appeared to be a leg injury. When exiting in the fourth quarter, Porter Jr. was able to walk off under his own power before falling to the ground and being attended to by the training staff on the sideline.
Benton, meanwhile, was down momentarily clutching his knee before leaving the field under his own power.
Porter Jr. did eventually make a return to the field for the final defensive drive. Benton did not.
In his post-game press conference, Mike Tomlin confirmed that Porter Jr. suffered a shin contusion, while Benton would require further evaluation of what appeared to be a knee injury.
Unfortunately, the Steelers are on a short week, set to play the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football in Week 12, which means a short turnaround to get the defense right. Pure speculation would have you believe Porter Jr. should be good to go for the game, though potentially could be limited early in the week, while Benton’s status appears more in doubt.