Joey Porter Jr.'s back issues got much better after trade to Cowboys, apparently

Joey Porter Jr. had been ruled out for Week 4 as a Pittsburgh Steeler . Now that he's a Dallas Cowboy , however, he's feeling much better.

The star cornerback's absence early in the 2026 NFL season was ostensibly for a back injury. It also coincided with the final season of his rookie contract. When an extension that paid him top-of-market cash for a defensive back wasn't in Pittsburgh's plans, Porter Jr. attended practices but didn't participate, creating an unofficial hold-in that technically wasn't about money -- but very obviously was. That bled into the regular season, where the Steelers ruled him out for the first four weeks of the year but did not put him on injured reserve.

Now, after being dealt to the Cowboys and their 32nd-ranked defense, Porter Jr. could be balm in Gilead. He'll also have the opportunity to soothe an oft-burned secondary sooner than expected. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, there's "a chance" he could join the active roster as soon as Sunday when Dallas travels to face the Houston Texans in an in-state showdown.

The Cowboys need all the help they can get. Offseason addition Cobie Durant missed Week 3's loss to the Baltimore Ravens and hasn't practiced this week. Shavon Revel also did not participate in Wednesday's drills . Fourth round rookie Devin Moore and safety Jalen Thompson are both on injured reserve. That leaves DaRon Bland as the team's top corner -- and he's allowed a passer rating over 100 each of the last two seasons (and through three weeks of this one) following his breakthrough 2023.

Even a diminished Porter Jr. will help. If he plays Sunday against the Texans, we'll have a better idea of just how bad his back really is.