Richard Sherman spreads wild Joey Porter Jr. illness theory on TNF
The Dallas Cowboys entered their Week 5 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night without newly acquired Joey Porter Jr. According to multiple reports, the fourth-year cornerback, who was shown on Prime Video's pre-game stream entering the AT&T Stadium locker room, was not available for the game due to sickness. NFL Network reported he had a virus and had been vomiting prior to kickoff.
Prime Video analyst Richard Sherman, formerly an All-Pro corner in the league himself, was far more skeptical regarding Porter's absence.
I'm very interested in how this is gonna go," Sherman said on the pre-game set, dramatically eating popcorn for effect.
"The Dallas Cowboys are dealing with a little bit of what the Pittsburgh Steelers were dealing with. Hey, is he gonna play? Is he not? Is he sick? Is he not? Is his back hurt? Is it not? Negotiations, this is a business."
Prime Video sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung subsequently said that she spoke to Porter for 20 minutes on Wednesday and that the illness "hit him fast" on Thursday. She added that Porter had "every intention" of playing against the Bucs, in what would have been his home debut for the Cowboys, before his condition worsened. He left the stadium about 90 minutes before kickoff after being declared inactive.
Sherman continued performatively eating popcorn following Hartung's report.
"Maybe if they (Dallas) would have gave him a new contract, maybe he would have been a little healthier today," he said while extolling Porter's value as a player and fit with the Cowboys. Sherman also subsequently admitted he was speculating about Porter's condition and negotiating tactics.
Porter was acquired from the Steelers on Oct. 1 for a sixth-round pick in next year's draft and a Round 2 selection in 2028 after he was unable to reach a long-term extension in Pittsburgh, which historically does not negotiate with players once a season starts.
Porter did not play for the Steelers this season, citing a back injury, but debuted for the Cowboys in their Week 4 win against the Houston Texans. He played 24 snaps on Sunday, according to Next Gen Stats, and did not allow a completion the one time he was targeted by Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.
#Cowboys CB Joey Porter Jr. in his Dallas debut Sunday vs. the Texans:
- Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 5, 2026
24 snaps
1 target
0 receptions allowed
0 yards allowed pic.twitter.com/MrpgKFthXm
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Richard Sherman spreads wild Joey Porter Jr. illness theory on TNF