Joey Porter Jr. is pushing back hard against the noise surrounding his health and his contract, and he made it clear he’s not buying the story that he’s sitting out on purpose.
The Dallas Cowboys cornerback said the chatter about him faking injuries to force a new deal is off base. “I don’t even know where that narrative come from,” Porter said, via Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
“I get it. It’s the internet, but I really don’t pay no attention to that or really care for that.
My goal is to win games and play football, and that’s what I want to do. So if there’s any chance I could get on the field, I’m going to get on the field and do what I do best.”
Porter was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to Dallas on September 30, 2026, after the two sides reached an impasse over a contract extension. He was in the final year of his rookie deal and wanted a new contract, with the stalemate helping lead to a missed start to the season in Pittsburgh. Dallas brought him in to help a secondary hit by early-season injuries.
The speculation picked up after Porter played briefly in the Week 4 win over the Texans. Then, against Tampa Bay on a Thursday night, he showed up to the game with an illness and was told to go home.
After that, Richard Sherman suggested Porter was faking the illness because he wanted a new contract. Porter was then held out in Week 9, and he still isn’t fully practicing this week.
Even with the rumors swirling, Porter says his focus hasn’t changed. He wants to be on the field, and he wants to help the Cowboys win.
Since the trade, Porter has played in four games for Dallas in the 2026 NFL season. He has eight tackles and three pass deflections.
If the Cowboys are going to make a run and catch the Giants, they’ll need Porter healthy and available.
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