Steelers dodge a bullet as Joey Porter Jr. drama gets stranger with Cowboys

Steelers dodge a bullet as Joey Porter Jr. Drama gets stranger with Cowboys.

Key points

• Porter created his Cowboys debut in Week 4, playing just 24 snaps on defense.
• For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any roster news and injury updates, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and offer our Facebook page a like.
• This latest update begs the question: What on earth is going on with Porter?
• As Dallas can't seem to even obtain him on the field, as things stand right now, Pittsburgh looks like the clear winner in this Porter trade.

Joey Porter Jr. Was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers after his mysterious "back injury" and potential contract problems sidelined him early in the 2026 season, but the situation appears to be just as bad with the Dallas Cowboys.

Porter created his Cowboys debut in Week 4, playing just 24 snaps on defense. But as for Week 5? He was ruled out at the last minute with a shocking illness. As Porter somehow picked up an ankle injury and was limited on Wednesday, things obtained even weirder in Week 6. He was able to upgrade to full participation on Thursday, and Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones asserted that Porter was excited to play for Dallas – that was until Friday's practice report disclosed limited participation and a questionable Week 6 status.

This latest update begs the question: What on earth is going on with Porter? More specifically, is there more to his recent back, illness and ankle injury designations than meets the eye? Some, like NFL legend Richard Sherman, have speculated that Porter's absences have more to do with contractual problems than health setbacks.

Notably, the Cowboys, like the Steelers, reportedly aren't looking to negotiate a long-term accord with Porter at this time and are instead waiting until the end of the 2026 season. As Dallas can't seem to even obtain him on the field, as things stand right now, Pittsburgh looks like the clear winner in this Porter trade.

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any roster news and injury updates, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and offer our Facebook page a like. SMS Facebook Twitter Email.

Taken together, the developments around steelers dodge a bullet as Joey Porter Jr. Drama gets stranger with point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.