Dallas Cowboys cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has pushed back against speculation that his injury absences are tied to his contract situation. Acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a trade last month, Porter first faced questions after missing a Thursday night game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5. He had briefly played in the Cowboys’ Week 4 win over the Houston Texans, but was sent home before the Tampa Bay game after becoming ill and reportedly vomiting.
Afterward, former defensive back and analyst Richard Sherman suggested Porter might have been faking his illness to pursue a new contract. Porter had previously sat out in Pittsburgh with a back injury while seeking a contract extension, prompting some observers to question whether contract concerns were again behind his absence.
Porter is now dealing with an ankle injury that began in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers. He tried to play through it in Weeks 7 and 8, then sat out Week 9. He has not yet returned to full participation in practice. On Wednesday, Porter was listed as not participating, despite Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer having said he expected Porter to do some work.
## Porter: “I Don’t Even Know Where That Narrative Comes From”
Contract-related speculation continued as Porter’s ankle injury lingered. On Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys insider Bobby Belt noted that Porter’s absence could be related either to the injury or, as some had speculated, to his contract situation.
Asked about the theories on Thursday, Porter rejected them. “That has no—I don’t even know where that narrative comes from,” he said. “I mean, I get it, it’s the internet, but I really don’t pay attention to that or really care for that. My goal is to win games and play football. That’s what I want to do. So if there’s any chance I can get on the field, I’m going to get on the field and do what I do best.”
## Dallas Needs Help in the Secondary
Porter has made an impact when available since joining Dallas ahead of Week 4, but he has played only 148 snaps across four games. His busiest outing was against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7, when he logged 51 snaps. He played 36 snaps in Week 8 before sitting out the following game.
Porter estimated that he was about 70% healthy when he played. He said the injury affected his entire foot and worsened as he continued to play, eventually forcing him to stop. “I feel like all the guys are wanting me to get back. They know what I could do when I’m out there on the field. I bring a presence out there that is a game-changing type presence,” he said. “I’m just trying to get back out there as fast as possible.”
