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Joey Porter Jr. health update as Cowboys CB ruled out for Thursday Night Football

The Dallas Cowboys' defense faces a setback ahead of their Thursday Night Football showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been ruled out of the Week 5 matchup due to illness.

Porter Jr., acquired in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, was set to make his Cowboys debut in their recent 24-21 road victory over the Houston Texans. The team is also welcoming back Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith, who missed the previous game, while the Bucs enter the contest with a 0-4 record.

Porter Jr.’s absence marks his second consecutive game missed since joining the Cowboys, raising questions about his immediate impact on Dallas’ secondary. The Cowboys will look to build on their momentum without their newest cornerback, who had led the NFL in coverage snaps without allowing a touchdown before the trade.

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