Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) reacts in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field.
Image credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Just when it seemed that the new Dallas Cowboys cornerback Joey Porter Jr. would be making his debut with the team, it was announced hours before Thursday Night's contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that Porter Jr. is out with an illness.
Todd Archer reported on X that Porter Jr. will not play Thursday. It was also reported that Porter Jr. was very sick and was vomiting, not in a condition to play.
The new Cowboys defensive back had been dealing with an ankle injury while a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He worked his way back from it and was cleared to go this week. It's another brutal obstacle for Porter Jr. to overcome, and his debut will have to wait.
This is a big contest for the 2-2 Cowboys, who are trying to regain control of the season after a tough start. They are coming off a win against the winless Houston Texans and now take on a Buccaneers team without Baker Mayfield. Not having Porter Jr. out there shouldn't hurt the defense much facing Jalon Daniels, considering we don't know what the defense looks like with him in it anyway.
The Buccaneers' secondary has played well this season, but the Cowboys' offense is looking really good right now. CeeDee Lamb is coming off one of his best games of his career, and running back Javonte Williams is a threat at any time. Once the Dak Prescott/George Pickens connection regains form, the Cowboys offense is going to dominate. This TNF game could be a showcase of that.