Cowboys' Joey Porter Nears Week 5 Debut After 26-Year-Old's Trade

Q: Can a blockbuster trade for an injured star save the Cowboys' depleted defense from a disastrous winless start?

Probably not by itself, but it could keep Dallas from spiraling if Joey Porter Jr. is healthy enough to contribute quickly. The trade addresses a real emergency. Dallas’ secondary has been hit hard by injuries, with Cobie Durant sidelined, Shavon Revel battling knee and ankle issues, Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke on injured reserve, and Malik Hooker only limited in practice. The Cowboys have also failed to record an interception through three games, a sign of how little playmaking they have gotten on the back end. Porter gives them a legitimate outside corner if he is available. He has 41 career starts, 31 pass breakups and the kind of size and man-coverage ability that fits what defensive coordinator Christian Parker has asked of his corners. Pairing him with DaRon Bland, who says he is fully healthy again, would immediately raise the floor of the defense. The problem is timing and health. Porter has not played this season because of a lingering back injury, and that issue reportedly flared up again just before the Steelers traded him. Even if he debuts against Houston, he is likely to be on a limited workload and may need time to regain game conditioning and learn Dallas’ calls. So the move is more of a high-upside stabilizer than an instant fix. Against a winless Texans team, Porter’s presence could help Dallas avoid a disastrous start. But expecting one injured star to rescue a defense weakened at multiple positions would be unrealistic.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Oct 1

Sunday could mark Joey Porter's first game for Dallas, with the cornerback nearing a debut against Houston after Wednesday's trade from Pittsburgh.
A lingering back issue has kept the 26-year-old out all season, but he was doing individual work at Cowboys practice on Thursday.
Dallas acquired Porter after his contract talks with the Steelers stalled, accelerating his move into the Cowboys' secondary.
If active, Porter would give Dallas needed depth at cornerback and could line up alongside DaRon Bland against the Texans.