CLEVELAND (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers got rid of a lingering headache by trading cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Cowboys.
asserted
Steelers → rid → Cowboys
Much later in the day, it was replaced by heartache after another loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Andre Szmyt made a career-long, 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, giving the Browns a 27-24 victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
asserted
Szmyt → replace → night
It was the Steelers’ fifth consecutive loss in Cleveland and knocked them out of a first-place tie in the AFC North with the Browns, who are a surprising 3-1.
asserted
who → knock → Browns
Unacceptable the way they moved the ball at the end,” Pittsburgh linebacker T.J. Watt said.
asserted
Watt → move → end
“We just have to put it together.
asserted
We → have → it
You just can’t let them move the ball that easily.
asserted
them → let → ball
Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson shredded the Steelers’ secondary for 181 yards and a touchdown in the first half, when the Browns scored 21 straight points to take a 21-7 advantage.
asserted
Browns → shred → advantage
The back-to-back-to-back TD drives proved extra costly as cornerback Jamel Dean suffered an ankle injury and did not return, weakening a position that Pittsburgh was already thin at.
“Some plays, we’ve just got to do a better job tackling and getting them on the ground,” Steelers rookie cornerback Daylen Everett said.
asserted
Everett → prove → ground
“You know, you’re counting on the guys we have.”
asserted
we → know → guys
Porter was dealt to Dallas in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in 2027 and a second-round selection in 2028.
asserted
Porter → deal → 2028
The trade was agreed to very early Thursday, ending a protracted contract dispute that left Porter inactive in the first three games.
“On Tuesday, I definitely thought it was a possibility (he would play) and we had a rep count in mind,” Pittsburgh coach Mike McCarthy said.
asserted
McCarthy → agree → mind
“You hope business never gets in the way of your preparation and playing, but it’s the modern NFL.
asserted
it → hope → preparation
“The timing was the night before a game, and I’m sure that’s what the guys woke up to.”
asserted
guys → ’m → what
Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, who has spent his entire 16-year career with the franchise, refused to use Porter’s departure as an excuse.
asserted
who → spend → excuse
He cited the team’s poor “attention to detail” and not living up to an “elementary school” level of fundamentals.
asserted
He → cite → fundamentals
“We’ve been playing without Joey for the last three weeks,” Heyward said.
asserted
Heyward → play → weeks
“I wish him the best, but it had nothing to do with it.
asserted
it → wish → it
We’re four weeks down and this needs to get fixed yesterday.”
asserted
this → ’re → ?
The Steelers also lost defensive tackle Derrick Harmon to a foot injury in the second quarter, but rallied to tie it at 24 with 1:42 left in the fourth.
asserted
Steelers → lose → fourth
Aaron Rodgers threw a 3-yard touchdown to Pat Freiermuth, then called his own number to run in the subsequent 2-point conversion.
asserted
Rodgers → throw → conversion
“I was like, ‘I can probably get a yard,’” said the 42-year-old Rodgers, who finished with three TDs, two interceptions and 299 yards passing.
asserted
who → get → TDs
Like McCarthy, Rodgers said he “thought Joey might play this week, based on his practice stuff.”
uncertain
Joey → say → stuff
Pittsburgh cornerback Jalen Ramsey experienced a similar contract impasse with the Jaguars in 2019, resulting in a midseason trade to the Los Angeles Rams in his fourth season.
asserted
Ramsey → experience → season
Six Pro Bowl selections have followed since leaving Jacksonville, which he believes could be the way Porter’s future plays out.
uncertain
future → follow → Jacksonville
“Everyone is not blessed to play 22 years like (Rodgers), so you’ve got to do what’s best for you,” Ramsey said.
asserted
Ramsey → bless → you
“It leaves a sour taste, especially for the fans, but business is business.
asserted
business → leave → fans
It’s a business decision and you’ve got to move on.
asserted
you → ’ → ?
I thought the team handled it well.”
__
asserted
team → think → it
The Aporia
