The Cleveland Browns won’t have to face Joey Porter Jr. on Thursday night.
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That’s because the Pittsburgh Steelers traded the talented cornerback to the Dallas Cowboys just hours before Pittsburgh’s AFC North matchup with Cleveland.
The Steelers are reportedly receiving a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick from Dallas for Porter. The Cowboys have confirmed the trade. (Dallas Cowboys)
For the Browns, the timing is significant.
Porter had already been ruled out for Thursday night’s game, but his departure completely changes the Steelers’ cornerback situation heading into the matchup.
Check out 10 Things Cleveland Must do to Win Thursday Night
Joey Porter Jr. Is No Longer a Steeler
Porter, 26, was entering the final year of his rookie contract after being selected by Pittsburgh with the first pick of the second round in the 2023 NFL Draft.
He had not played in any of Pittsburgh’s first three games this season.
Porter had been dealing with a back injury and was also involved in an offseason contract dispute with the Steelers. Pittsburgh had made it clear that contract negotiations would not continue once the regular season began.
The situation ultimately ended with Porter being traded to Dallas. (NFL)
Why This Matters for the Browns
The obvious question for Cleveland fans is simple:
Who will the Browns see instead of Joey Porter Jr.?
Porter had established himself as an important member of Pittsburgh’s secondary during his first three seasons.
He has 41 career starts, with 165 tackles, 31 passes defensed and three interceptions. Last season, he started all 14 games he played and recorded a career-high 14 passes defensed. (Reuters)
But Porter wasn’t going to play Thursday night anyway.
The bigger impact is what his departure means for the Steelers’ cornerback depth going forward.
Pittsburgh is now expected to rely on other defensive backs, including Asante Samuel Jr. and rookie Daylen Everette on the outside, while Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Echols remain important pieces of the secondary. (SI)
Browns Could Have a Different-Looking Steelers Secondary
Cleveland’s receivers could see a different set of matchups than they would have earlier in the week.
That makes the Steelers’ secondary one of the biggest things to watch Thursday night.
How to watch the Browns and Steelers
The situation is even more important because Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Echols are both listed as questionable.
If either player is unavailable, Pittsburgh could be forced to dig even deeper into its cornerback depth.
For Cleveland, that creates an opportunity for the passing game.
What About the Browns’ Receivers?
The Browns have their own injury issue at wide receiver with Tylan Wallace ruled out.
But Cleveland still has several weapons capable of testing Pittsburgh’s secondary.
The question will be whether Cleveland can consistently protect the quarterback long enough to take advantage of those matchups.
The Browns are already dealing with offensive-line losses, with Elgton Jenkins and Teven Jenkins both ruled out.
That could make the battle in the trenches just as important as the matchup on the outside.
The Strange Timing of the Trade
The timing makes this story particularly unusual.
The Steelers and Browns are preparing to play Thursday night, yet Pittsburgh made a significant roster move involving one of its most recognizable young defensive players less than 24 hours before kickoff.
Porter never played for Pittsburgh this season.
Now, instead of potentially returning to the Steelers later in the season, he’ll begin a new chapter with the Cowboys.
The trade also continues a recent connection between Pittsburgh and Dallas.
The Cowboys previously acquired George Pickens and Broderick Jones from the Steelers, making Porter the third notable Pittsburgh player sent to Dallas during that span. (FOX Sports)
What It Means for Browns-Steelers Tonight
Porter won’t be lining up across from Cleveland on Thursday night.
But his trade creates another major storyline heading into the AFC North matchup.
The Browns will face a Steelers secondary that has undergone significant changes, while Pittsburgh will have to determine how it handles the uncertainty surrounding Ramsey and Echols.
For Cleveland, the objective is straightforward: take advantage of every matchup Pittsburgh gives them.
And with Porter now wearing a Cowboys uniform, the Browns will have one fewer established Steelers cornerback to worry about.
Browns vs. Steelers
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland
TV/Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Stay with Browns Daily Dose for the latest Browns-Steelers injury, lineup and game-day updates.
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