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NFL·ANALYSIS·October 8, 2026 08:33 PM ET

Richard Sherman questions Joey Porter Jr. illness scratch

The analyst suggests the sudden absence is a contract ploy.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 13h1 min read
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What happened: Dallas Cowboys cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was ruled out of Thursday's matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a reported virus. Prime Video analyst Richard Sherman questioned the legitimacy of the illness during the pregame broadcast, implying the scratch was a business tactic.

Why it matters: Porter arrived in Dallas via trade earlier this month after sitting out the start of the season in Pittsburgh citing a back injury amid stalled extension talks. Sherman highlighted the similarity between Porter's current situation and his previous standoff with the Steelers.

By the numbers: Dallas led Tampa Bay 7-0 while the game was in progress. The 4-3 Cowboys defense entered Thursday allowing 22.7 points per game. Porter recorded one interception and 52 tackles in 14 games for the Steelers in 2025.

What to watch: Watch for any updates from the Cowboys regarding Porter's availability and contract negotiations following the broadcast.

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NFLAnalysisDallas CowboysPittsburgh SteelersTampa Bay BuccaneersJoey Porter Jr.
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