The Green Bay Packers have good reason to explore depth options at cornerback. Nate Hobbs has been ruled out for Week 10 against the Eagles, will likely miss at least one more game, and has been inconsistent all season from the standpoint of both performance and availability. They stood pat at the trade deadline but did bring in former Chargers CB Asante Samuel Jr. on Saturday for a workout.
Samuel, four years a starter in Los Angeles, has missed all of this season and most of last due to a neck injury. He underwent spinal fusion surgery in April and has just recently been cleared to play. Now a free agent, he is looking for his next shot in the league.
Although Samuel remains unsigned, he has drawn interest from multiple teams. The Packers are only one of them. ESPN 49ers reporter Nick Wagoner reported late Monday afternoon that San Francisco also invited Samuel in for an audition.
Packers seemingly pass on Samuel – depleted 49ers could bite
Samuel, a former Florida State Seminole and the son of Asante Samuel Sr., played 50 games in Los Angeles across his first four seasons, coming up with six interceptions and 37 passes defensed.
Sep 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) tackles Carolina Panthers defensive end LaBryan Ray (93) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
In an 11-year NFL career, Samuel Sr. was by all accounts the more accomplished player. Twice he led the league in interceptions and passes defensed, racking up 51 INTs in his career and 164 PDs. He earned four Pro Bowl nods and two All-Pro selections, including All-Pro first team in 2007.
Before his devastating injury, his son was still a solid cornerback, the 47th pick in the 2021 draft. Coming off his extended hiatus, of course, whether Samuel is in midseason NFL shape is anything but certain. If the Packers had been wowed this weekend, he would already have a contract – the need is there with Hobbs out for at least the next couple of games.
Samuel could have a better chance at landing with the 49ers, whose injury-ravaged defense has been reduced to second and third-stringers. Maybe they will be the ones to give him his shot.
Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (88) is upended by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 23-20.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Having turned 26 early last month, he should still have some juice in his legs provided the injury and subsequent layoff hasn’t taken too much out of him.
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