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Joey Porter placed on leave while Steelers investigate arrest

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be heading into the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs without outside linebacker coach Joey Porter. The team placed Porter on leave in light of his arrest for assault following the team’s victory at home over the Miami Dolphins on Saturday.

Team general manager Kevin Colbert released a statement on the matter.

“We are continuing to gather information concerning Sunday night’s incident involving Joey Porter. We have been and will continue to be in communication with the NFL as is required by the Personal Conduct Policy. Pending further review, Joey Porter has been placed on leave. At this time, we will move forward with our preparations for the Divisional Round playoff game at Kansas City,” per CBS Pittsburgh.

Porter was arrested late at night at a Pittsburgh pub when he allegedly assaulted a doorman. He was being told he could not come into the establishment, and the police report indicated the doorman told Porter he wasn’t being let in because he’d threatened the man’s life once before. Porter also allegedly put his hands on a police officer on the scene and wouldn’t let go. He reportedly smelled of alcohol and displayed glassy, bloodshot eyes during the incident (more on all that here).

This isn’t Porter’s first brush with the law in an alcohol-related incident. He was arrested in 2010 for DUI but the charges were later dropped.

Needless to say, this entire ordeal is exactly the opposite of what a team needs heading into a playoff game. Distractions such as these make life difficult for everyone involved.

The Steelers will be traveling this weekend to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs Sunday at 1:05 p.m. ET.

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