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DeMeco Ryans and the Texans got a critical trade update.
DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans have encountered another potential hurdle ahead of their Week 4 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
This comes in the form of an overnight trade.
“Trade! Steelers and Cowboys finalize deal to send CB Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports,” Tom Pelissero of The Ringer and Netflix Sports reports at X on September 30.
Porter was a former second-round draft pick of the Steelers, who was sidelined by a back injury. However, there are speculations that his contract situation is at the root of his plight.
Here’s the full breakdown of the trade:
Cowboys will get:
The Steelers get:
In Dallas, Porter is reunited with former Steelers teammates George Pickens and Broderick Jones, both of whom are more imminent threats to the Texans in Week 4. However, notably, the Texans will also face the Steelers. That matchup is in Week 13.
It’s too far into the game to predict where either team will be. The Steelers are early sellers in 2026, however, while the Texans have already been buyers.
Joey Porter Jr. Trade Sparks Speculation Before Texans Game
“Joey Porter Jr. practiced fully Monday and Tuesday and then on Wednesday the Steelers said he couldn’t finish practice with a back injury, ruling him OUT for tomorrow against the Browns,” Posted NFL on Prime’s James Palmer in reaction to the deal. “Porter hasn’t played yet this season because the team has been building him up to play, but the … back issue … continues to flare up. He’s a Cowboy now.”
Jacob Barzilla of ESPN 97.5 posted in reaction to the news, “As the Texans add Nico Collins, their Week 4 opponent bolsters the secondary.
“Can see Nico Collins vs Joey Porter Jr. this weekend.”
That might be a long shot. Porter must get used to a new defense, though his transition to cornerback is simpler than at other positions. The Cowboys have three days to get Porter up to speed; three-plus counting game day.
“The Cowboys play the Texans this Sunday and then the Bucs on @NFLonPrime four days later,” Palmer posted in a follow-up. “Dallas believes Joey Porter Jr. will be able to play fairly quickly, but I’m told they’ll have to see what he’s like once they get him on the practice field to see if the Week 5 TNF game is possible.”
The Texans face questions at wide receiver behind Collins. That’s even with the addition of Kayshon Boutte via their own trade this offseason.
The Dallas trade may have added another layer of intrigue for Sunday’s contest.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines on FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He is based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter