Cowboys agree to acquire Joey Porter Jr. as injuries test their secondary

The Dallas Cowboys announced late Wednesday, September 30, that they had agreed to terms on a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Dallas' Spanish-language team report says the return is a 2028 second-round draft pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. The announcement establishes an agreement, but Dallas had not given a firm date for Porter's debut when we checked Thursday at noon Eastern.

Porter, 26, was a 2023 second-round selection from Penn State. Dallas credits him with 47 career games, 41 starts, 165 tackles, 31 passes defended and three interceptions through three seasons. Those numbers describe an experienced outside corner, not a guarantee that he can immediately solve every coverage problem.

Timing matters. Cowboys cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel appeared on the injury report with hamstring and knee/ankle issues, respectively. Dallas' official Wednesday update said Revel did not practice and Durant was also a nonparticipant. The team is buying depth and potential starting quality while the health of its current group remains unsettled.

Why Dallas moved now

The Cowboys' account cites Next Gen Stats showing Porter allowed 35 catches on 66 targets for 412 yards in 2025, without allowing a touchdown. That is evidence of what he supplied last season; his conditioning and fit in Dallas' current defense still have to be demonstrated on the field.

A future second-round pick is substantial draft capital for a player heading into the final year of his rookie contract. Dallas says Porter and Pittsburgh did not agree on an extension before the Steelers' start-of-season negotiating deadline. The Cowboys have not announced a new deal with him. The immediate football return and the longer-term roster value are therefore separate questions.

The cost and the uncertainty

Dallas visits Houston on Sunday. The Cowboys say Porter's arrival, physical assessment and readiness will determine when he plays. Until the team confirms those steps, this is a significant acquisition agreement, not a verified Week 4 lineup change.