The Dallas Cowboys have acquired cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers, even though he has been inactive for all three of the Steelers’ games this season.
Porter has been dealing with a back issue and had been in a contract stalemate with Pittsburgh. The 26-year-old, a second-round pick out of Penn State in 2023, was seeking an extension as he entered the final year of his four-year rookie deal.
Pittsburgh will receive a sixth-round pick in 2027 and a second-round pick in 2028 from Dallas, the Cowboys announced.
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The Cowboys need help. Their defense remains among the NFL’s worst, ranking second-to-last in rushing defense. Dallas is also one of four teams without an interception.
The team placed safety Jalen Thompson (hamstring) on injured reserve with a designation to return. Safety P.J. Locke (torn plantar fascia) was already on injured reserve.
According to the NFL’s NextGenStats, Porter is fourth among cornerbacks in lowest completion percentage allowed, at 55%, since entering the league in 2023.
It is the second major trade between the Cowboys and Steelers in two years. Pittsburgh sent receiver George Pickens to Dallas for draft picks before the 2025 season, and he made the Pro Bowl in his Dallas debut.
Read more:
• Cowboys acquire disgruntled cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from Steelers for 2 draft picks
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