Joey Porter Jr. returns to practice amid Steelers contract negotiations

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. participated in a walkthrough session on Tuesday as he begins a ramp-up period before the team's season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. While Porter publicly attributed his previous training camp absences to a back injury, uncertainty remains regarding his availability for Week 1. Porter declined to confirm he will play in the opener if a new contract is not finalized, noting he must consult with team officials. Negotiations between Porter and general manager Omar Khan reportedly center on a disagreement over the structure of a potential extension. Specifically, the two sides are weighing the importance of fully guaranteed money versus a higher average annual value. Although his return to the field signals good faith, the cornerback's status for the first game of the regular season remains unresolved as front office talks continue.

• 3:41 PMYahoo Sports — Inside the Joey Porter Jr. contract dispute as Week 1 approaches