Steelers Now
UNITY TWP, Pa. — There’s a new No. 39 at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp practice. The jersey, worn by Minkah Fitzpatrick for almost all of the past six seasons, now belongs to undrafted rookie cornerback Daryl Porter Jr., who was signed on Monday.
Porter is the latest in a line of newly arrived Steelers to pull on jersey numbers left behind by last season’s impact-makers. Tailback Kenneth Gainwell inherited George Pickens’ No. 14, punter Corliss Waitman landed on Russell Wilson’s No. 3 after Aaron Rodgers took No. 8 and veteran safety Juan Thornill is the latest to wear No. 22, after Najee Harris.
Porter, 23, initially signed with the Buffalo Bills after not hearing his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft. He was brought in as starter Joey Porter Jr. and backup Cory Trice dealt with ailments. Joey Porter Jr. returned to practice on Tuesday.
New #Steelers CB Daryl Porter Jr. is wearing No. 39. https://t.co/qUQ6QvyqIT pic.twitter.com/Y0jmRwhD21
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) August 5, 2025
Much like Joey Porter Jr., Daryl Porter Jr.’s father spent time with the Steelers, but is recognized more for his three-year stint with the Buffalo Bills from 1998-2000. Daryl Porter Jr. played collegiately at West Virginia and Miami. He played in 30 games for the Hurricanes, posting 62 tackles, two tackles for loss and seven passes defended.
Other notable Steelers to pull on No. 39 include punter Bobby Walden (1968-77), safety Darren Perry (1992-98) and running back Willie Parker (2004-09). Last month, Fitzpatrick was shipped to the Miami Dolphins, with whom he began his career with in 2018, in exchange for fellow three-time Associated Press first-team All-Pro Jalen Ramsey and versatile tight end Jonnu Smith.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers’ New Arrival Given Minkah Fitzpatrick’s Jersey Number
