Chairshot NFL News Report (10/1/2026): Cowboys Land Porter, Reed Done for Year & TNF Hits Cleveland

Dallas trades for Joey Porter Jr., Jayden Reed needs season-ending surgery and Pittsburgh-Cleveland opens Week 4 on Thursday night.

Dallas entered the week saying it was looking for defensive help. The Cowboys found a significant piece Wednesday night.

Dallas acquired Joey Porter Jr. from Pittsburgh in a deal that sends a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Steelers. The move ends a contract standoff that prevented Porter from playing a single game for Pittsburgh this season and gives the Cowboys another potential starting corner for a defense already dealing with injuries.

Wednesday also brought season-ending news for Jayden Reed, major problems in Carolina’s secondary and a potentially significant injury situation along Baltimore’s offensive line.

It’s the Chairshot NFL News Report for October 1, 2026!

Cowboys Acquire Joey Porter Jr. From Steelers

The Cowboys agreed to acquire Joey Porter Jr. from Pittsburgh on Wednesday night, sending the Steelers a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. Porter had been ruled out for Thursday night’s game against Cleveland before the trade was completed and had not appeared in any of Pittsburgh’s first three games.

Porter is entering the final season of his rookie contract after the Steelers and their former second-round pick failed to reach an extension during the offseason. The disagreement eventually became an impasse, and Pittsburgh had already indicated it would not continue contract negotiations once the regular season began.

Dallas now inherits both the player and the contract question. Porter has started 41 of his 47 career games and recorded 31 pass breakups, giving the Cowboys an established outside corner who can eventually line up opposite DaRon Bland if healthy and ready to play.

The timing is not accidental. Dallas has already been dealing with injuries to Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel Jr., while Michael Jackson was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. The Cowboys also placed defensive end Jonathan Bullard on IR and have linebacker DeMarvion Overshown working back from a hamstring injury.

Dallas is only 1-2 after Sunday’s 34-31 loss to Baltimore in Rio, but this is not a move that suggests the Cowboys are willing to let their defensive problems resolve themselves. A future second-round pick is meaningful capital, and acquiring Porter signals that Dallas believes fixing the secondary is worth paying for now.

Jayden Reed Needs Season-Ending Neck Surgery

Green Bay will be without Jayden Reed for the remainder of the season. Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday that Reed needs surgery for the neck injury he suffered against the Jets in Week 2 and will be placed on injured reserve.

Reed was hit in the helmet while attempting to make a catch during Green Bay’s 20-17 overtime victory and had to be immobilized on a spine board before being transported to a hospital. He had four receptions for 24 yards through two starts this season.

The loss carries additional weight because Green Bay signed Reed to a three-year, $50.25 million extension in April. He entered 2026 as an important piece of the Packers’ receiving corps after producing 142 catches, 1,881 yards and 15 touchdowns over his first three seasons.

Green Bay also continues to address its offensive line after the problems exposed during last Thursday’s 35-14 loss to Atlanta. The Packers signed 36-year-old guard Kevin Zeitler to a one-year deal Wednesday, adding another veteran after previously bringing in Laken Tomlinson.

At 1-2, the Packers have already reached the point where their early-season injuries are changing the shape of the roster. Reed will not be part of the solution this year, and Green Bay now has to replace his production for the remaining 14 games rather than simply surviving a short absence.

Panthers Lose Both Starting Cornerbacks to Injured Reserve

Carolina placed Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on injured reserve Wednesday, removing both starting cornerbacks from the lineup for at least four games.

Horn suffered a quadriceps injury and Jackson injured his groin during Sunday’s 21-18 loss to Cleveland. Dave Canales said neither injury is expected to end the player’s season, but both could miss approximately eight weeks. Jackson underwent core-muscle surgery Tuesday, while Horn is not expected to require surgery.

The moves leave Carolina with Akayleb Evans, Chau Smith-Wade and rookie Will Lee III as the only cornerbacks currently on the active roster. The Panthers promoted wide receiver David Moore and running back Anthony Tyus III while adding cornerback Robert Rochell to the practice squad.

Carolina was already preparing to play without left guard Damien Lewis for multiple weeks because of his elbow injury. Xavier Legette is now week-to-week with a knee injury as well, giving the Panthers significant problems on both sides of the ball entering Sunday night.

Detroit is not an ideal opponent for a secondary suddenly missing both starting corners. The Lions have won two straight after losing their opener, while Carolina enters at 1-2 with a defense that will have to change substantially before Sunday night.

Ravens Running Out of Centers

Baltimore’s dramatic victory over Dallas came at a significant cost along the offensive line. Starting center Jovaughn Gwyn suffered a fractured fibula in Rio and is expected to miss approximately two to three months, with surgery likely.

The Ravens also lost Ethan Pocic to a long-term knee injury in the same game. Baltimore had already lost projected starting center Danny Pinter to a season-ending knee injury during training camp, leaving the organization without its top three options at the position.

Rookie Vega Ioane is now preparing to start at center against Tennessee. The first-round pick has started Baltimore’s first three games at guard but moved to center after the injuries Sunday.

Baltimore responded Wednesday by signing veteran center Andre James and guard Kyle Hergel to the practice squad. James brings 61 career starts and gives the Ravens an experienced emergency option while they determine how much they can reasonably ask Ioane to handle.

There was another injury worth watching Wednesday. Lamar Jackson was limited because of a back issue, although head coach Jesse Minter described it as something small. Zay Flowers, Ronnie Stanley, John Simpson and Marlon Humphrey were among several other Ravens limited in practice.

Baltimore is 2-1 and hosts winless Tennessee on Sunday, but the offensive line has suddenly become one of the roster’s biggest questions.

Puka Nacua Expected Back Against Philadelphia

The Rams expect Puka Nacua to return Sunday against Philadelphia after the receiver missed the previous two games with a hip injury. Nacua was officially limited Wednesday, but Sean McVay said the expectation is that he will play.

Los Angeles managed to move the football without Nacua, but the Rams went 1-1 during his absence and lost 30-26 in Denver after carrying a fourth-quarter lead. Getting him back gives Matthew Stafford his full receiving group for a matchup against an Eagles team trying to recover from Monday night’s 27-7 loss in Chicago.

The Rams do have another notable injury to monitor. Aaron Donald did not practice Wednesday because of a sore back, although there has been no indication that the issue is considered long term.

Philadelphia opened its own week with DeVonta Smith sidelined by a hamstring injury, Dallas Goedert out with a knee issue and Zack Baun unable to practice because of a concussion.

Both teams are 1-2 or 2-1 respectively, but their trajectories changed sharply last week. Los Angeles let a winnable game escape in Denver, while Philadelphia produced only seven points and committed three turnovers against a Bears team playing its third-string quarterback.

Jayden Daniels Returns to Limited Practice

Jayden Daniels took another step toward returning Wednesday when he participated on a limited basis in Washington’s practice in London.

Daniels has missed the past two games because of the dislocated left elbow he suffered in Week 2. Washington chose not to place him on injured reserve, keeping open the possibility of a return before the four-game minimum absence an IR designation would have required.

Marcus Mariota led Washington to its first victory Sunday, throwing three touchdown passes in a 33-31 win over Seattle. That performance gives the Commanders some flexibility if Daniels is not ready for Sunday’s London game against Indianapolis.

The important change from earlier in the week is that Daniels is now practicing. Whether that leads directly to a Week 4 return remains uncertain, but getting him back onto the field in a limited capacity represents tangible progress.

Washington has already ruled guard Samuel Cosmi and safety Nick Cross out for London, while linebacker Leo Chenal went to injured reserve earlier in the week. Rachaad White also missed Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder injury.

Justin Jefferson Sits Wednesday as Vikings Stay Cautious

Justin Jefferson did not practice Wednesday because of the ankle injury he suffered against Tampa Bay, but Minnesota continues to describe him as day-to-day.

Kevin O’Connell said Jefferson is feeling better, and the Vikings have not ruled him out for Sunday’s game against Miami. Minnesota’s 3-0 start gives the team an obvious reason to remain conservative if its star receiver is not fully ready.

The matchup also provides context. Miami is 0-3 and will play its first full game without De’Von Achane after the running back suffered a season-ending knee injury Sunday against Kansas City.

Minnesota does not need Jefferson available in September at the expense of having him healthy later in the season. Wednesday’s absence keeps his status worth watching, but nothing yet indicates that the ankle injury is developing into a longer-term problem.

Thursday Night Football: Steelers at Browns

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns — 8:15 PM ET

Week 4 opens with an AFC North matchup between two 2-1 teams, and both will enter Thursday night missing important players.

Pittsburgh ruled Rico Dowdle out for a second consecutive game because of his toe injury. Jaylen Warren should again handle the bulk of the rushing workload after producing 127 yards on 17 carries against Cincinnati.

The Steelers also ruled Porter out before trading him to Dallas. Jalen Ramsey remains questionable with the broken wrist he suffered Sunday, while Brandin Echols is questionable after clearing concussion protocol.

Cleveland’s offensive line will be shorthanded. Center Elgton Jenkins is out with a concussion and guard Teven Jenkins is out because of a back injury. Wide receiver Tylan Wallace has also been ruled out with a knee injury.

The Browns have won four consecutive home games against Pittsburgh and seven straight Thursday night games overall. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has struggled historically in divisional road games on Thursday.

Those trends matter less than the current stakes. The AFC North is tightly packed after three weeks, and Thursday gives either Pittsburgh or Cleveland an opportunity to reach 3-1 before Baltimore and Cincinnati play Sunday.

Wednesday delivered several stories that will matter well beyond Week 4. Dallas made the aggressive move of the day by spending a future second-round pick to bring Porter into a secondary that badly needed another established starter. Green Bay learned Reed will not return this season, and Carolina lost both starting cornerbacks at the same time.

Baltimore may have the most unusual problem of all. The Ravens are three games into the season and already preparing to use their fourth option at center.

Week 4 begins Thursday night, and the first month of the season has already forced contenders to start making decisions that normally feel like October and November moves.

This report includes information from: NFL.com, Reuters.com, ESPN.com, DallasCowboys.com, Steelers.com, ClevelandBrowns.com, Packers.com, Panthers.com, Ravens.com, Rams.com, Commanders.com, Vikings.com and official NFL injury and transaction reports.