The Pittsburgh Steelers have bolstered their secondary by signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to their practice squad, according to sources from The Athletic. This move comes as the team navigates a transitional phase within their defensive backfield.
Samuel, a fifth-year player, was a second-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. Over his four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound corner recorded 37 passes defended, six interceptions, and 148 tackles. However, his career faced uncertainty after sustaining a neck and nerve injury during the Chargers” Week 5 bye last season, which raised concerns about its potential to be career-threatening. To address the issue, he underwent spinal fusion surgery in the offseason, aiming to resume his professional career.
Having completed his rehabilitation, Samuel remained unsigned through the early part of the season until the Steelers invited him for a workout at their facility in Pittsburgh”s Southside. After a successful evaluation, the team agreed to terms with the cornerback, who is now expected to provide depth and competition in a secondary that has faced significant challenges.
At the beginning of the season, the Steelers were optimistic about their cornerback lineup, especially following the acquisitions of Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay. With Joey Porter Jr. also in the mix, they believed they had a strong trio capable of matching up against top receivers. Unfortunately, the injury to safety DeShon Elliott and inconsistent performances from the secondary have forced the Steelers to rethink their strategy.
With Elliott likely out for the remainder of the regular season, Ramsey has been transitioned to a full-time safety role in the last two games. The Steelers also made a trade to acquire safety Kyle Dugger from the Patriots as they adapt to the loss of other defensive backs. Although Ramsey”s move has stabilized the back end of the defense, it has strained the cornerback position.
Furthermore, Slay, now 34 years old, has struggled with performance and is currently in the concussion protocol, leaving his availability for the upcoming game against the Bengals uncertain. While Samuel will initially start on the practice squad, his addition offers the Steelers flexibility in their cornerback rotations. Primarily an outside corner, Samuel has also trained in the slot since his rookie season, which could prove beneficial as the team navigates various matchups.
How soon Samuel will see game action remains undetermined, but the Steelers are in dire need of reinforcements. The defense has not lived up to expectations this year, allowing the fifth-most yards per game and the highest average passing yards. If Samuel adapts well to the Steelers” system, he could earn a more permanent spot, especially considering Slay”s one-year contract. Additionally, if the Steelers choose to keep Ramsey at safety, they will need another cornerback alongside Porter.
