Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called the arrest of outside linebackers coach Joey Porter "disappointing" and "unfortunate" and said there is no limit to how long he will remain on leave from the team, even indicating he could return for Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game in Kansas City.
"It's an honor and a privilege, it's not a right," Tomlin said about playing and working in the National Football League. "We should accept it as such. There are consequences because of it.
"In this league we're all held to a standard of decorum _ coaches and front office people even more so."
Tomlin also made a point to say Porter's incident will not be a distraction to the team as it prepares for the Chiefs.
Porter was arrested outside a South Side bar Sunday night following the Steelers 30-12 playoff victory against Miami. The Steelers announced Monday that Porter had been placed on "leave" pending review of the incident. When asked who will assume Porter's responsibilities this week, Tomlin said, "We're not ready to say he won't be a part of it."
"We're not overly concerned with it being a distraction to us," Tomlin said at his weekly televised news conference. "It's our job to deal with distractions that come up from time to time. I see how it can be viewed as such, but inside this building it won't be. It won't change what's expected from us and it won't change our preparation."
