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Pat Freiermuth Urges Rookie DB After He Oversleeps and Misses Practice

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The Pittsburgh Steelers’ reputation for accountability and discipline was once again on display this week when one veteran player decided to take matters into his own hands after a young teammate overslept and missed morning practice.

According to ESPN sources, the incident happened early Monday when a rookie defensive back failed to arrive on time for team activities. Coaches reportedly chose not to intervene immediately, allowing a veteran leader in the locker room to handle the issue directly.

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth

Tight end Pat Freiermuth, known for his straightforward leadership style, confronted the rookie later that morning in front of teammates, delivering a message that quickly spread through the facility.

“Get your damn body out of bed,” Freiermuth reportedly shouted. “We’ve been up since dawn sweating it out in practice, and you’re just lying here resting? Be a professional.”

The rookie in question was later identified as Daryl Porter, a first-year defensive back out of Miami. Porter immediately apologized to the team after the confrontation, acknowledging his mistake and promising it wouldn’t happen again. Coaches decided not to impose formal discipline, praising the way Freiermuth addressed the matter internally.

Incidents like these highlight the standard Mike Tomlin has built in Pittsburgh — a culture where players hold each other accountable, demand more from one another, and take pride in maintaining professionalism at all times.

In the end, it wasn’t just about a missed alarm — it was about the message: every rep matters, every morning counts, and in Pittsburgh, no one gets a free pass.

Steelers Sign Former Buccaneers Safety Ahead of Week 6
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made another roster adjustment as they continue to fine-tune their depth heading into Week 6. The team officially announced the signing of safety Jack Henderson to their practice squad. Henderson, an undrafted free agent out of the 2025 NFL Draft, initially signed with the Carolina Panthers before spending time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on their practice squad. His addition gives the Steelers another young, versatile defensive back who has shown potential as both a tackler and a coverage player. Before reaching the NFL, Henderson spent two seasons at the University of Minnesota, where he appeared in 26 games and recorded 103 total tackles, including 61 solo stops, 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks, five passes defended, three interceptions, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Prior to Minnesota, he played three seasons at Southeastern Louisiana, where he posted 163 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and six interceptions in 33 games — showcasing consistency and leadership on defense throughout his collegiate career. Henderson’s signing comes as the Steelers continue to bolster defensive depth amid ongoing injuries and roster rotations. While he’ll begin on the practice squad, Henderson’s collegiate production and experience could earn him an opportunity to contribute to the active roster as the season progresses.