While theHouston Texans will spend plenty of hours watching film of the Dallas Cowboys, offensive coordinator Nick Caley andPro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins might need to spend a bit of extra time watching Pittsburgh Steelers film.
After all,Joey Porter Jr.
didn't start the season with Dallas, but there's a legit chance he ends up making his Cowboys' debut when kickoff ensues Sunday morning at Reliant Stadium.The Steelers traded Porter to the Cowboys last Wednesday evening in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. Barring any setbacks, it's expected that Porter will have an opportunity to start for the Cowboys when the team travels to Reliant Stadium to take on the Texans in Week 4.
Porter confirmed the news on an
Instagram story early Thursday morning, writing, "Here I come ... Dallas."
The son of former Pro Bowl linebacker and Steelers standout Joey Porter, Porter Jr. started 41 games and had three interceptions in three seasons in coverage. This offseason, he sat out all of training camp after reporting an aggravation to the back injury during the team's mobility workout on the first day of camp.
Cowboys trading for Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. in exchange for a 6th-round pick in 2027, and a 2nd-round pick in 2028.
— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2026
(via @SlaterNFL) pic.twitter.com/xygY1ePnTa
Pittsburgh wanted to keep him, but the two sides could never agree on the details of a contract extension. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the heart of the dispute was the guaranteed money within the contract's long-term structure. Both sides were never able to make any meaningful progress on agreeing to terms despite talks leading into the regular season.
Similar to the Texans with C.J. Stroud and his negotiations, Pittsburgh ceased conversations with Porter once Week 1 arrived, as the team doesn't negotiate during the regular season. Now, Jerry Jones and Co. will try to lock up Porter on a new deal before he hits free agency this offseason.
Dallas, who enters Sunday 1-2, needed cornerback help in a depleted and injured secondary. Cobie Durant is expected to be out against the Texans after dealing with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, starting cornerback Shavon Revel injured his knee last week was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Trade! The Steelers and Cowboys are finalizing a deal sending CB Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports. pic.twitter.com/yy9UlQHdZ3
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 1, 2026
Revel has already been a concern for the defense, as he sat out the first eight games of his rookie season recovering from a torn ACL suffered during his final season at East Carolina. Of course, is Revel can go, he could start to begin the game opposite of DaRon Bland before Porter eventually comes in to replace him.
Collins and Porter metlast season in the AFC Wild Card Round, where the Pro Bowl receiver was limited to three catches on seven targets for 21 yards. This all happened before Collins left with a concussion midway through the game.
Porter and the Cowboys return to Reliant Stadium for the first time since 2018 with a chance to hand Houston a fourth consecutive loss.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Dallas Cowboys trade for standout CB Joey Porter Jr. ahead of Texans' Week 4 matchup
