On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers designated Joey Porter Jr. out against the Cleveland Browns on “Thursday Night Football” for two reasons: non-injury related/conditioning and a back injury.
Porter was a limited participant at Wednesday’s practice. Hours later, the Steelers agreed to trade Porter to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 conditional sixth-round pick.
A league source told Newsweek that Porter is expected to play for the Cowboys’ road contest against the Houston Texans on Sunday. It’s unknown if Porter will start or how many snaps he will play in Week 5 as he gets up to speed with defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s playbook.
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Still, the Cowboys are expected to use Porter in key situations for what is viewed around the league as a must-win game. Porter will give the defense an immediate boost amid several concerning injuries to the secondary.
Dallas made the trade days before a critical contest against an 0-3 Texans team led by quarterback C.J. Stroud. Wide receiver Nico Collins could make his return against the Cowboys after battling a hamstring injury.
As for Porter’s back injury, multiple sources have suggested to Newsweek that the issue is closer akin to the substance that slides out from a steer’s backside than a legitimate malady that would keep him from playing against the Texans. (Porter missed the majority of training camp and the first three regular-season games for the Steelers amid the contract dispute/back injury designation.)
The Texans, expected by many around the league before the season to make the playoffs with a strong defense and heavy offseason improvements made to the offense, will have their backs against the wall on Sunday and will be motivated for a win over their in-state rival. An 0-4 start would be brutal for Houston’s playoff chances.
For Dallas, a loss would send the Cowboys spiraling to 1-3. The Cowboys made the trade for what could be a one-year loaner, for prompt improvement for a secondary that was gashed in the latter moments of their Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
There’s every reason in the world for Dallas to want Porter on the field ASAP. The Cowboys didn’t trade for Porter this week to go 1-3.
The main threat to the Cowboys in the NFC East appears to be the Philadelphia Eagles, coming off a 27-7 “Monday Night Football” loss to the Chicago Bears. The Eagles will host the 1-2 Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. The Cowboys, with Porter, have a better chance to at least keep pace with the Eagles this weekend, if not gain a win.
Porter told reporters on Thursday that he hopes to play on Sunday.
“I’m feeling good,” Porter said, via the Cowboys’ website. “I’ll talk to the guys. I mean, I just got here today, so we’re just trying to take things day by day, and if everything looks good, then I should be out there.”
For Porter, still on the final year of his rookie contract, has every incentive to want to play this season and put up good tape before he heads into free agency during the 2027 offseason. For now, the Cowboys are in no rush to offer Porter a contract extension.
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