Cowboys acquire cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from Steelers amid contract dispute
Dallas traded for former Steelers corner Joey Porter Jr., who missed the season’s first three games due to a back issue and a contract standoff, and hopes to have him available for the upcoming game.
The Dallas Cowboys have completed a trade for cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who had not played in the first three weeks of the season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Porter missed the opening games after being listed on the injury report for a back problem, though the Steelers later changed the designation to conditioning. The absence was also linked to an ongoing contract dispute, with the Steelers’ policy of not extending contracts or guaranteeing money beyond the first year contributing to the impasse.
Porter is expected to join Dallas’s secondary this week, though he will need to learn the playbook before potentially appearing in Sunday’s game. Coach Mike McCarthy said, ">We hope so," when asked about Porter’s availability, noting that the team could benefit from his presence while fellow corner Jalen Ramsey recovers from a broken wrist.
The trade follows reports that multiple teams had expressed interest in Porter, and the Steelers indicated they would consider offers that include strong compensation. Dallas plans to integrate Porter gradually, likely using him in specific defensive packages initially.
Porter’s situation highlights the broader tension between player contract negotiations and team policies, with the Steelers’ approach reportedly creating friction that led to the trade.