WJPA Sports

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Joey Porter Jr.’s back feels good enough for practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but contract issues are on his mind. The cornerback hasn’t committed to playing in the season opener against Atlanta on Sept. 13 if a new deal isn’t reached. Porter, entering the final year of his rookie contract, believes he’s one of the league’s best defensive backs and wants to be compensated accordingly. General manager Omar Khan wants Porter to stay in Pittsburgh, but negotiations seem stalled. The Steelers have a policy of not negotiating once the regular season begins, adding urgency to the talks.

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys waived backup quarterback Joe Milton on Monday while saying the newly acquired Broderick Jones will compete with Terence Steele to start at right tackle. The move with Milton presumably means Sam Howell has won the No. 2 job behind Dak Prescott. Before the team announced the move, coach Brian Schottenheimer said the competition between Milton and Howell was still open. The Milton move was to clear a spot for running back Emari Demercado, who was claimed on waivers from Kansas City. The Cowboys got Jones in a trade with Pittsburgh on Saturday.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international soccer after 21 years representing Argentina. “It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come,” the 39-year-old Messi says on his Instagram account Monday. Messi played in a record-tying six World Cups, won it in 2022 in Qatar and led Argentina to this year’s final, losing to Spain in extra time in New Jersey. He concludes his international career as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, 21 of which were in World Cups.