Just when you think the roller coaster ride is finally over, the Pittsburgh Steelers throw yet another curveball in the Joey Porter Jr. saga. The Steelers are headed to Cleveland for Thursday Night Football with first place in the AFC North on the line, and once again, their star cornerback will not be on the field.

Pittsburgh had Monday and Tuesday walkthroughs this week, and Porter was listed as a full estimated participant. Then Wednesday rolled around. The Steelers held their first and only real practice of the short week, and Porter went from full estimated participant to limited participant. He has already been ruled out for Thursday.

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The writing is on the wall

At this point, there is no need to beat around the bush. If you are the Steelers, if you are coach Mike McCarthy, if you are general manager Omar Khan, the reality is clear. Barring a last-second change of heart where Porter decides to sign the most recent deal Pittsburgh offered him, he is not going to play for the Steelers this year.

That is why trade rumors have surfaced with increasing frequency in recent days. The only option left is to trade Porter.

A pattern that tells you everything

The truth is, the pattern here speaks for itself. Porter was listed as an estimated full participant earlier in the week, only to be downgraded and ruled out at the last minute because of a “back issue.” If he is still not healthy enough to go, if his back flares up every time the team holds a real practice, the situation points to a player who does not want to suit up for Pittsburgh under the current contract circumstances.

The Steelers are not going to get Porter on the field anytime soon. The bottom line is that this holdout, or whatever you want to call it, has reached its logical endpoint.

Time to rip the Band-Aid off

So the immediate question becomes: what are the Steelers waiting for? It is time to stop dragging this out. It is time for Omar Khan and the front office to pick up the phone and find the best possible return for Porter before his trade value erodes any further.

The Steelers have a division to chase and a roster to build around. Holding onto a player who has made it abundantly clear he will not take the field under these terms helps no one. Pittsburgh needs to move Porter now, recoup draft capital or a young player in return, and shift its full attention to winning football games with the players who are available and willing to compete for this team.