Dallas Cowboys add cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in trade with Steelers
The Dallas Cowboys acquired cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers, prompting a reshuffle of their secondary depth chart ahead of Week 4.
Dallas completed a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday night, bringing cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the team. Porter, a three-year veteran who has started 41 games, will report to The Star on Thursday for a physical and to finalize the transaction, which could make him eligible to play against the Houston Texans in Week 4.
The addition arrives as the Cowboys' defense ranks near the bottom of the league in total yards allowed and the secondary has dealt with multiple injuries. Starting cornerback DaRon Bland remains healthy, but Cobie Durant is sidelined with a hamstring strain and Shavon Revel Jr. is listed as questionable after a knee injury. The updated depth chart lists Bland and Porter as the outside cornerbacks, with Durant and Revel listed as unavailable, and Ameer Speed as a backup. Caleb Downs moves to the nickel position, while the team hopes to use Porter’s presence to give more flexibility to other defensive backs such as Christian Parker.
Porter’s career statistics include 165 tackles, 31 passes defensed, three interceptions and three tackles for loss. If he returns to his earlier performance level, the trade could provide the Cowboys with a significant upgrade at cornerback.