Steelers reportedly add Sean Murphy-Bunting after Porter trade

The Steelers are signing Sean Murphy-Bunting from Tampa Bay’s practice squad, according to Tom Pelissero, adding an experienced cornerback after trading Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas. NFL.com included the reported move in its Monday transaction roundup, and NBC Sports also reported the addition.

Pittsburgh has a vacancy created by the trade and another problem caused by injury. Steelers Now reported that Jamel Dean is expected to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury, citing Ian Rapoport. The combination gives the Murphy-Bunting move a clear roster purpose, although a role and playing-time split have not been announced.

Murphy-Bunting, 29, has played 82 regular-season games with 65 starts and 11 interceptions, according to NBC Sports. He missed the 2025 season with a torn ACL before returning to Tampa Bay’s practice squad this September after Arizona released him at the end of camp.

The Buccaneers’ official announcement of his return described the connection to the team that drafted him in the second round in 2019. Murphy-Bunting played four seasons in Tampa Bay and won a Super Bowl there before moving to Tennessee and then Arizona.

Pittsburgh completed the Porter trade on October 1. The Steelers’ official announcement listed a sixth-round pick in 2027 and a second-round pick in 2028 as the return from Dallas. Porter had not played in Pittsburgh’s first three games this season, having spent training camp on the physically unable to perform list before being activated on August 30.

Steelers Now identified Asante Samuel Jr. and rookie Daylen Everette as the expected starting cornerbacks for the next game against Indianapolis, with other defensive backs available for depth. Murphy-Bunting’s experience provides another option as Pittsburgh assesses Dean’s absence.

The Steelers are 2-2 following their loss to Cleveland. For roster watchers, the next confirmation is the team’s transaction announcement, followed by practice participation and the game-day plan. The reported signing establishes a move toward experienced depth without establishing a guaranteed starting assignment.