Joey Porter Jr. Says Absence Is About His Ankle, Not His Contract
The Cowboys cornerback, headed for free agency, pushed back on the idea he's sitting out over his future and hopes to face the 49ers on Sunday
Joey Porter Jr. wants it known that he isn't sitting out because of money. The Cowboys cornerback told ESPN's Todd Archer on Thursday that his absence the past two weeks is all about an ankle injury, not concern over a future contract.
Porter first hurt the ankle Oct. 4 against Houston in his Cowboys debut and kept playing on it until it got worse. He couldn't finish the Nov. 1 overtime loss to Arizona and was inactive for last week's win in Indianapolis. Brian Schottenheimer said a heel issue is also involved.
"The whole foot's jacked up," Porter said. "I was playing on it for a while, and it just kept getting worse to where I had to shut it down."
The contract talk exists because of timing. Porter is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, and Dallas acquired him from Pittsburgh on Oct. 1 for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder. He has played three full games for the Cowboys and also missed an Oct. 8 game against Tampa Bay with an illness.
Porter didn't practice for a second straight day Thursday and worked on resistance cords during the open portion. He said he did some running, felt confident and hopes to do more Friday. He isn't ruled out yet for Sunday, when the 4-5 Cowboys host the 7-1 49ers. Dallas could use him back: the defense is allowing 26.2 points per game.