Cowboys acquire Joey Porter Jr. in deal with Steelers

Key Points:

• Porter Jr. has missed the first three games of the season due to a back issue and a contract dispute with the Steelers, with his absences largely seen as contract-related rather than injury-based.
• The Steelers have been reluctant to negotiate contract extensions during the season and rarely guarantee money beyond the first year, leading to a fractured relationship with Porter Jr., who has attracted trade interest from multiple teams including the Cowboys and Detroit.
• Porter Jr. was ruled out for the Steelers' Week 3 game but is practicing fully and could play for the Cowboys in Week 4 if they can get him up to speed on their playbook, potentially improving their banged-up secondary.
• Despite some back flare-ups, Porter Jr. remains a questionable game-time decision, with the Steelers hoping to have him available against key opponents, though the contract dispute continues to overshadow his status.
• The Steelers are open to trade offers but seek strong compensation, and the ongoing stalemate suggests Porter Jr.'s return to the Steelers lineup remains uncertain in the near term.