Joey Porter Jr. says he has begun running again, with his chance of featuring against the San Francisco 49ers set to depend on what happens in Friday and Saturday practices. It is a timely update for the Dallas Cowboys, who are preparing to face the NFC's top-ranked team and are still working through Porter’s frustrating start to life in Dallas.
Porter’s situation has been shaped by a run of setbacks since his late September move to the Cowboys. He made his debut against the Houston Texans shortly after the trade, then was ruled out a week later before what would have been his home debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of a severe intestinal illness. After returning against the Green Bay Packers, he was limited for the next two weeks by an ankle issue from that debut, before being ruled inactive in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Porter: “I mean, it’s definitely frustrating”
The cornerback did not hide his irritation at how the early months have unfolded. “I mean, it’s definitely frustrating,” Porter said, adding that he wants to show what he can do on a new team and feels he has done that when he has been on the field.
That is the key point for the Cowboys. This is not a case of form or effort being in doubt; it is about availability. Porter said he is trying to keep “the main thing, the main thing” and get back as fast as possible, with the next step now down to practice work later in the week.
Friday and Saturday will decide the issue
The Cowboys will make their call based on how Porter comes through Friday and Saturday. If he can handle the workload, there is a chance he is available against San Francisco. If not, the wait continues.
Porter also pushed back on the contract-related chatter that has surrounded his limited availability, saying, “I don't know where that narrative came from,” and making clear he is not focused on outside noise. He said, “My goal is to win games and play football,” and added that if there is any chance he can get on the field, he will take it.
His comments fit the broader picture of a player who wants to contribute and is frustrated by circumstances beyond his control. “I miss one game, because of my sickness, and then I miss one because I'm banged up,” he said. “Football is gonna happen. I really can't control that. All I can control is my effort to get back on the field.”
For Dallas, the storyline now is simple: Porter has started running again, but the real test comes over the next two practices. Against a team like the San Francisco 49ers, every defensive option matters, which is why his status will remain one to watch right through the weekend.
