Penn State Professional Athletes

It was a week that had everything for Penn State's NFL diaspora: a blockbuster trade, a promising rookie cut loose, a pass-rusher turning heads, and the defending rushing champ suddenly sidelined. The Nittany Lions' NFL footprint was impossible to ignore from Sunday through Thursday.

Porter Jr. Goes to Dallas — and Wins

The biggest story belongs to Joey Porter Jr., who was dealt from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dallas Cowboys after a contract standoff over second-year guarantees. Porter learned of the trade late at night, and by Sunday he was suiting up in blue and silver. He played 24 snaps — including 16 in coverage — in Dallas's 34-30 win over the Houston Texans, allowing no receptions and sending a pointed message to the receivers across from him. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer called the debut a success, and Porter himself had one word for it. His father, Joey Porter Sr., wasn't subtle about his feelings toward Pittsburgh, either, taking a public shot at his former franchise during the celebration.

The week had one more twist: Porter was ruled out for Dallas's Thursday night game due to illness, cutting short an otherwise electric stretch. He had played 25 snaps total in his 2026 debut before the setback.

Carter Dominates, Somehow Misses the All-Star List

Abdul Carter's week deserves its own banner. The Giants linebacker put up a 90.1 PFF grade and generated six pressures in New York's 36-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals — numbers that earned him buzz as one of the best pass-rushers in the league on that Sunday. He was notably left off PFF's Team of the Week, a snub that sparked immediate debate. Two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Long weighed in, urging Giants fans to evaluate Carter by a different standard given how rare his skillset is at this stage of a career. His teammate Theo Johnson also contributed, hauling in a touchdown reception in the same victory.

Barkley Out, Allen Cut

On the injury front, Saquon Barkley was ruled out for Week 5 after managing just eight rushing yards and two receiving yards in Philadelphia's 20-24 loss to the Rams in Week 4. For the Eagles, who have leaned heavily on their star back, the absence is significant. The circumstances of the injury were not detailed in available reporting, but the fantasy and real-world implications are considerable.

Meanwhile, Kaytron Allen's NFL journey hit a roadblock. Washington waived the rookie running back — a 2026 sixth-round pick — just weeks into the season. Allen had carried once for one yard in the Commanders' 13-30 loss to the Colts on Sunday before the roster move. Heavy Sports noted the move came as a surprise to those tracking Penn State alumni in the league. Allen is now listed with the Dolphins on the alumni roster.

Around the League

Elsewhere, Mike Gesicki took personal responsibility for a dropped pass that could have been a game-winning touchdown in Cincinnati's 17-22 loss to Jacksonville — a costly moment in what was a back-and-forth game. Jahan Dotson was a bright spot in Atlanta's 45-24 demolition of New Orleans, catching two passes for 54 yards and a touchdown on Monday night. And Brenton Strange quietly put together a standout outing on the other side of that Bengals-Jaguars game, catching seven passes for 95 yards for Jacksonville.

It was, by any measure, a week that reminded the league Penn State keeps producing.

Two of Penn State's most recognizable NFL names dominated the headlines this week — but for very different reasons. Joey Porter Jr. found a new home in Dallas after a contract standoff ended his time in Pittsburgh, while Micah Parsons remains sidelined in Green Bay with a return date that keeps sliding toward November.

Porter Jr.: From Standoff to Star Pupil in Dallas

The Steelers pulled the plug on their relationship with Porter Jr. late Wednesday night before Week 4, trading the starting cornerback to the Cowboys following a stalled contract extension. Pittsburgh, unable to reach an agreement on a new deal, moved on rather than continue carrying a disgruntled cornerback toward free agency — a move Yahoo Sports noted says something sobering about the organization's current direction.

Dallas, meanwhile, was aggressive. Multiple Super Bowl contenders reportedly circled Porter Jr., but the Cowboys won the bidding — though not without a cost. Per The Sporting News, many around the league viewed Dallas's draft-pick haul as an overpay. The Cowboys' Super Bowl odds on Kalshi ticked up immediately after the deal closed; Pittsburgh's stayed flat, per Sports Illustrated.

Porter Jr.'s debut came with its own drama. He had been ruled out for Pittsburgh's Thursday night game before the trade, with a back injury clouding his immediate availability. But the recovery was described as "miraculous" — Cowboys sources told SI they were hopeful he'd suit up in Week 4 against the Texans, and per Heavy Sports, he was indeed set to make his Dallas debut in that Sunday showdown. The Cowboys' secondary had been battered by injuries heading in, making the acquisition all the more urgent.

Parsons: Green Bay's Long Wait Gets Longer

Micah Parsons is a Packer now, but Packers fans have yet to see him play. The star linebacker remains on the PUP list, and despite becoming eligible to return in Week 5, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported there's no imminent activation on the horizon. Per Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Talk, it's "possible" Parsons won't see the field until November — a significant blow to Green Bay's playoff ambitions.

The Bears, conveniently, are the beneficiaries. SI noted that Parsons has now likely missed three straight games in the Bears-Packers rivalry. Dallas, scheduled to face Green Bay in Week 6, may also dodge the Penn State pass rusher entirely.

Around the Rest of the Roster

Beyond the two headliners, Penn State alumni had a quietly productive week on the field. Tyler Warren continued his strong start for the Colts, hauling in 9 catches for 55 yards in Indianapolis's 19-17 win over Houston. Parker Washington torched New England in Jacksonville's 35-6 rout, catching 3 passes for 40 yards and a touchdown. Mike Gesicki added a score for Cincinnati (37 yards, 3 receptions) in a 27-30 loss to Pittsburgh, where Pat Freiermuth also found the end zone Thursday night against Cleveland. Saquon Barkley ran for 82 yards in Philadelphia's 7-27 loss to Chicago, a performance that kept him productive even as the Eagles offense sputtered.

The week belonged to Porter Jr. and Parsons, though — one Nittany Lion making a fresh start, another waiting for any start at all.

Barkley's Stinger Can't Keep Him Down

Saquon Barkley's Week 2 lasted exactly one play.

The Penn State product took a hit on Philadelphia's first offensive snap against the Titans on Sept. 20, suffered a stinger, and watched the rest of the Eagles' 24-20 win from the sideline — finishing with just 9 rushing yards and one catch for 11 yards. Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley combined for 20 carries and a meager 57 yards to hold the fort, but it was a performance that raised real questions about Philadelphia's backfield depth heading into Week 3.

Those questions got louder before they got quieter. Barkley opened the week as a limited participant in practice and, in an unusually candid moment, admitted the neck injury gave him pause — acknowledging a harsh reality about the risks that come with the position. He indicated he'd likely wear a neck collar for Monday night's game against the Bears.

But by Friday, Barkley was back to full participation and was given no injury designation for Monday Night Football. The Eagles will have their bell cow. Whatever concern lingered midweek, it evaporated by the weekend.

Porter Jr.'s Long-Awaited Return

Across the state of Pennsylvania, another Penn Stater is finally about to suit up.

Joey Porter Jr. has not played a single snap this season. The Steelers cornerback has been sidelined to start the year, his absence fueling trade speculation — most notably with the Detroit Lions emerging as a rumored suitor. Porter Jr. put that to rest himself, declaring he plans to play in Pittsburgh and isn't going anywhere.

Something shifted in his relationship with the Steelers organization this week, according to reports, and for the first time all season there is genuine belief he'll take the field. He was listed as questionable after another limited practice, but the trajectory is clearly toward a return. The timing is notable: the Bengals are coming to town, and Ja'Marr Chase — who publicly sent a message to Porter Jr. ahead of the matchup — is waiting on the other side. That's the kind of storyline Porter Jr. appears to have been champing at the bit for.

Elsewhere Around the League

Tyler Warren had the standout performance of the week among Penn State alumni. The Colts tight end caught six passes for 21 yards and added a touchdown in Indianapolis's 30-33 loss to Kansas City — a bright spot in a tough defeat.

Parker Washington continued to make noise in Jacksonville, hauling in seven receptions for 98 yards in the Jaguars' 13-20 loss to Denver. The volume and efficiency are there; wins haven't followed.

Odafe Oweh had a different kind of week to remember. The Commanders linebacker was fined by the NFL following Washington's Week 2 loss to Dallas — part of a broader punishment announcement that also hit teammate Jeremy Reaves. Oweh's fine was the largest on the list, a costly footnote to a 0-2 start in Washington.

Micah Parsons remained sidelined for Green Bay's Thursday night home loss to Atlanta, 35-14 — a game the Packers badly needed him for. Reports indicate the Packers are desperate to get the Penn State linebacker back, though his return timeline remains unclear.

Jahan Dotson caught one pass for 11 yards in Atlanta's blowout win, a quiet night for the Falcons wideout. Pat Freiermuth was Pittsburgh's most reliable weapon in a 20-3 loss to New England, pulling in four catches for 32 yards.

The week's biggest Penn State story, though, belongs to Barkley and Porter Jr. — one fighting through to stay on the field, the other finally ready to get back on it.

The Nittany Lions had plenty to celebrate in NFL Week 1 — and plenty to fret over, depending on whether you're watching Jacksonville highlights or Pittsburgh contract updates.

Two Lions, One Blowout, Two TDs

The best Penn State story of the week came out of Jacksonville, where the Jaguars dismantled the Browns 34–10 and two Nittany Lions found the end zone in the same game. Wide receiver Parker Washington was the star of the show, hauling in 5 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Brenton Strange added 2 catches for 23 yards and also punched in a score. Two PSU alums, same blowout, both in the end zone — it's the kind of afternoon that fills up a school's NFL alumni highlight reel fast.

Freiermuth, Gesicki, and Warren Deliver at Tight End

Penn State's tight end pipeline had a strong Week 1 across the board. Pat Freiermuth went off for 5 catches, 46 yards, and a touchdown as Pittsburgh beat Atlanta 20–13. Mike Gesicki turned in one of the better individual performances of the week, catching 5 passes for 78 yards and a score in Cincinnati's 33–27 win over Tampa Bay. And Tyler Warren chipped in 3 catches for 13 yards and a touchdown for Indianapolis in a loss to Baltimore. Three Penn State tight ends, three touchdowns — a remarkable single-week stretch for what is quietly one of the program's deepest NFL position groups.

Barkley, Brisker, and Oweh Flash Elsewhere

Saquon Barkley ran for 83 yards as Philadelphia edged Washington 24–22, continuing his strong tenure with the Eagles. Jaquan Brisker picked off a pass for Pittsburgh in the same win over Atlanta where Freiermuth scored. And Odafe Oweh, now with Washington, registered a sack in that same NFC East thriller, though it came on the losing side.

The Joey Porter Jr. Mess

And then there's the storyline that refused to resolve itself quietly. Joey Porter Jr. did not play in Week 1 — or Week 2 — as his contract holdout with the Steelers dragged into the new season. Pittsburgh did not extend Porter before the opener, and the impasse has since generated a stream of trade speculation. According to Pro Football Talk, at least one team has already called the Steelers about acquiring him. Bleacher Report reported that Pittsburgh does not "intend to break" on its contract stance, while Sports Illustrated cited an insider who believes Porter wants out entirely.

The trade market, however, may be more complicated than Porter's camp hopes. An AFC executive, per Heavy Sports, drew a pointed distinction between Porter and the $30M cornerbacks currently setting the market. Porter was then ruled out for Week 2 against the Patriots due to a back injury and conditioning concerns, keeping the situation murky heading into the second week of the season.

Steelers assistant head coach Joe Whitt Jr. pushed back on negative characterizations of Porter's attitude during the holdout, telling reporters the public narrative isn't matching what the team sees internally. That's a notable data point — but it doesn't change the fact that one of Penn State's most prominent NFL alumni is watching games in street clothes while Pittsburgh navigates a standoff with no clear end in sight.