Cowboys newcomer Joey Porter Jr. trending toward Week 4 debut vs. Texans

Traded from Pittsburgh this week, the cornerback is expected to see limited action Sunday in Houston as Dallas copes with injuries in the secondary.

Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is on track to make his Dallas Cowboys debut just days after changing teams. Traded from Pittsburgh late Tuesday night, Porter is expected to play Sunday when the Cowboys visit the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Week 4, according to multiple reports.

The cornerback arrives in Dallas with one open question: his health. Porter had been dealing with a back injury during his final period with the Steelers, and his last months in Pittsburgh also included negotiations with the club on a long-term contract as the regular season approached.

Cowboys leadership sounds optimistic about his availability. Executive vice president Stephen Jones, in an interview on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, said the organization believes the former second-round draft pick will see a modest number of plays in Week 4 after taking part in practice on each of the past two days.

Porter addressed his own status Thursday, following his first practice session with the Cowboys, in comments relayed by ESPN's Todd Archer. He said his status is being evaluated on a daily basis and that he expects to be on the field provided all goes well.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer offered a similar outlook, telling reporters that a productive week of work could be enough for Porter to be cleared to contribute in some form. He added that the team would like Porter to play, that the cornerback appears excited by the possibility, and that Thursday's session was a positive opening step, while noting the decision will hinge on how the remainder of the week unfolds.

Porter's body of work in Pittsburgh is extensive. A three-year starter for the Steelers, he appeared in 47 games and recorded 165 tackles, including 120 solo stops, along with 31 pass breakups and three interceptions. According to Pro Football Reference, opposing quarterbacks posted a 57.2 rating when targeting Porter's area of the field.

The timing would help a Dallas team that enters Sunday with a 1-2 record and a secondary thinned by injuries. Cobie Durant has been ruled out against Houston because of a hamstring injury. Starting cornerback Shavon Revel, who injured his knee last week, was limited during Wednesday's practice but is expected to be available.

Houston has recent first-hand experience with Porter from the postseason. In the AFC Wild Card Round last January, Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins managed three receptions for 21 yards on seven targets while matched against Porter, all before leaving the game midway through with a concussion.

Sunday's result also carries historical weight for the Texans. A defeat would drop Houston to 0-4, and the franchise would then be attempting to become the first team since the 1992 San Diego Chargers to turn an 0-4 beginning into a playoff berth. Dallas visits Houston on Sunday, October 4, at Reliant Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 PM EDT on FOX.