‘Heavily Increased’: Christian Parker On Joey Porter Jr.’s Workload, DaRon Bland, And Caleb Downs Before Green Bay

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker said Thursday that cornerback Joey Porter Jr.’s workload will be heavily increased for Sunday night’s game at the Green Bay Packers, after Porter missed last week’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an illness.

Porter, acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this month, was ruled out shortly before last Thursday’s game. Porter said Wednesday that he used the extra days off to dig deeper into the playbook.

“We’ll see, but he’s definitely going to be heavily increased. I feel really good about where he’s at,” Parker said.

How Joey Porter Jr. Fell Right In With The Cowboys’ Secondary

Porter has fit right in with the group, Parker said.

“Really excited about Joey. I said it last week, anytime you can add good players, you’re always on board for that. Joey’s talented. He has the right mindset. He’s kind of just fell right in in terms of chemistry with the guys and learning the playbook and getting himself kind of back to playing shape, so we’ve been excited about him so far,” Parker explained.

Christian Parker’s Message To DaRon Bland

Cornerback DaRon Bland said after the Tampa Bay game that he slipped in coverage on a 64-yard catch and on a third-and-21 conversion. Parker said he has talked with Bland about remembering who he is.

“Yeah, for sure. And I think the main thing is, remember who you are. You got to go out, the corners of a position where your scars are going to be seen by everybody. So a negative play by a defensive lineman isn’t going to wear the same type of change of a game as it is at DB,” Parker said. “But he’s made enough plays in his career. He’s very confident in his preparation and practice. So we’re very confident in him getting back to the level that we know he can get to.”

Finding Caleb Downs More Action

Injuries at safety have kept rookie Caleb Downs deeper than the Cowboys designed. Parker said the role for Downs this week is still to be determined, but that Dallas wants him in the action.

“I think a player like Caleb, the more you can get him in the action that’s not dictated by call, the better. So there’s different ways to do that, whether it’s nickel, dime, whether you’re cranking the safety down a little more by call. But that’s where he’s been training,” Parker said. “Obviously he’s played both spots when we were healthy. But he’s doing a good job managing the workload and running the show back there, which is what we needed him back there to do. And we’ll see what the role is this week.”

Joey Porter Jr. On A Race For The First Interception

Porter said Wednesday that the cornerbacks talk about not having enough ball production, and that there is a competition in the room for the first interception.

“Definitely. We talk about there’s not enough ball production in the room, and that’s what we’re striving for to get better at. So it’s definitely a little mini competition going on in the room,” Porter said. “It’s just healthy for the room and shows that we’re all trying to strive for the same thing.”

Bland said after the Tampa Bay game that he slipped on the 64-yard catch and the third-and-21 conversion.

“Yeah, I slipped. I just, I just slipped. I gotta keep my feet on that,” Bland said.

Porter is questionable for Sunday after the Cowboys listed him with an ankle injury on Friday’s final report. He was limited Wednesday and Friday, practiced fully Thursday, and traveled with the team to Green Bay on Saturday. The Cowboys elevated cornerback Derion Kendrick from the practice squad. Bland has six career interception returns for touchdowns, including an NFL-record five in 2023.

Kickoff at Lambeau Field is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 18, on NBC.