{
  "id": 11512734,
  "title": "Source: Cowboys Expected to Play Joey Porter Jr Against Texans",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/source-cowboys-expected-to-play-joey-porter-jr-against-texans",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T19:31:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/source-cowboys-expected-to-play-joey-porter-jr-against-texans-12514324"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Pittsburgh Steelers designated Joey Porter Jr. to play against the Cleveland Browns in the Thursday Night Football game due to non-injury related/conditioning and a back injury. Porter had limited participation in practice the day before. The Steelers then agreed to trade Porter to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 conditional sixth-round pick. According to a league source, Porter is expected to play against the Houston Texans on Sunday. It remains unclear if Porter will start or how many snaps he will play as he familiarizes himself with defensive coordinator Christian Parker's playbook.\n\nThe Cowboys are expected to rely on Porter in crucial situations for the Texans, a game considered a must-win for Dallas. Porter will provide immediate strength to the defense, which has suffered several injuries. The Texans have been projected to make the playoffs, but a 0-3 record would pose significant challenges to their postseason hopes. For the Cowboys, a loss against the Texans would further damage their 1-3 record. Although the Cowboys did not trade for Porter to secure a 1-3 season, they see Porter as a valuable addition to bolster their secondary, which was vulnerable during the Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.\n\nJoey Porter Jr. expressed his positive outlook on playing in the Texans game, stating he is feeling good and will discuss his situation with the team. As the final year of his rookie contract, Porter is motivated to demonstrate his value before entering free agency in 2027. The Cowboys have no immediate plans to offer Porter a new deal.",
  "summary": "The Dallas Cowboys are expected to play Joey Porter Jr. in some capacity during Sunday's Week 4 contest at the Houston Texans.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}