Joey Porter Jr. Traded to Cowboys, Set to Play Sunday
On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers declared Joey Porter Jr. out for the “Thursday Night Football” game against the Cleveland Browns. This decision was due to non-injury related conditioning and a back injury. Porter participated in Wednesday’s practice but was limited. Shortly thereafter, the Steelers traded him to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2028 second-round pick and a conditional sixth-round pick in 2027.
A league source informed Newsweek that Porter is expected to play in the Cowboys’ road game against the Houston Texans on Sunday. It remains uncertain if he will start or how many snaps he will play in Week 5 as he familiarizes himself with defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s playbook.
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The Cowboys plan to utilize Porter in crucial situations for what is considered a must-win game. Porter is seen as a key addition to the defense, which is currently facing significant injuries in the secondary. Dallas completed the trade days before this critical matchup against an 0-3 Texans team led by quarterback C.J. Stroud. Wide receiver Nico Collins could return for the Texans, having recovered from a hamstring injury.
Regarding Porter’s back injury, multiple sources suggest it is exaggerated and unlikely to prevent him from playing against Houston. Porter missed most of training camp and the first three games for the Steelers due to contract disputes and the back injury designation.
The Texans had high expectations for the season, with improvements in both defense and offense. Still, they face pressure to avoid an 0-4 start, which would damage their playoff hopes. A loss for Dallas would leave the Cowboys at 1-3.
The Cowboys made the trade anticipating immediate benefits for their secondary, which struggled in their Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. With Porter, Dallas hopes to quickly bolster their performance. The Cowboys’ decision highlights the urgency to maintain a competitive stance in the NFC East against teams like the Philadelphia Eagles.
Porter expressed optimism about playing on Sunday, telling reporters he feels good and will evaluate his readiness day by day. With his rookie contract ending, Porter aims to deliver strong performances before entering free agency in the 2027 offseason. Dallas currently has no plans to extend his contract.