Porter Jr. Expected to Play vs. Packers, Securing Steelers' Conditional Draft Pick

Key points

• Porter Jr. is slated to play Sunday against the Packers, according to CBS Sports and NBC Sports.
• His active status would trigger the transfer of a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Steelers, per ESPN's Todd Archer.
• The Steelers' 2028 second-round pick from the trade is not subject to the participation condition.
• Porter missed the Tampa Bay game due to severe illness, including vomiting, but returned to full practice Thursday.
• The Steelers had previously traded a sixth-round pick to Dallas in the George Pickens deal, making this return significant.

Background

The Steelers traded Porter Jr. to the Cowboys on October 1, 2026, ending a contract standoff. The deal included a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick, with the latter contingent on Porter playing two games. The Steelers had previously sent a sixth-round pick to Dallas in the George Pickens trade, making the recovery of this asset important for their draft capital.

How outlets are covering it

Still Curtain emphasizes the risk to the Steelers if Porter does not play, noting that the conditional pick is their only asset from the deal available in 2027. NBC Sports and CBS Sports focus on the immediate injury update, confirming Porter's active status. The Dallas Cowboys' official site highlights Porter's recovery from illness and his readiness to play without limitations. Still Curtain also notes that Porter's absences, while medical, raise questions about his long-term availability and value.

Why it matters

The outcome determines whether the Steelers receive a 2027 sixth-round pick, which could be used as a reserve, special-teams contributor, or trade chip. The pick's value is heightened by the Steelers' recent cornerbacks acquisitions and the need to replace a starting cornerback traded away. The conditional nature of the pick means the Steelers cannot control the outcome, as it depends on Dallas' medical decisions.

What to watch

The Cowboys will release their inactives list Sunday around 7 p.m. ET. If Porter is active, the Steelers will receive the 2027 sixth-round pick. If he is inactive, the Steelers will continue to wait, with the risk of losing the pick if he never meets the two-game requirement.