The Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary has been a mess this season, allowing the second-most passing yards in the league. The outside cornerback position remains a weakness, as Darius Slay Jr. suffered a concussion in Week 10, putting his Week 11 availability in question. Lastly, with DeShon Elliott on injured reserve, Jalen Ramsey has shifted from the slot to safety.
Pittsburgh Steelers land top cornerback
Cleveland Browns, Asante Samuel Jr.
Dec 23, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) enters the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Steelers have signed Asante Samuel Jr. to the practice squad after recovering from spinal fusion surgery. He can be elevated for gameday up to three times without penalty. Samuel will start off on the practice squad but can be promoted to the active roster or poached by another team’s 53-man roster at any time.
Free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is signing with the Steelers practice squad, per source.
A top-25 free agent in March, Samuel recovered from spinal-fusion surgery in time to sign for the season’s second half. Now, he gets a new start with Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/pK5QfhfEy0
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 11, 2025
Here’s a quick review of his NFL career
Cleveland Browns, Asante Samuel Jr.
November 13, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Asante Samuel Jr. spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers after being the 47th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He had a strong start, recording at least two interceptions and ten pass deflections in each of his first three seasons, totaling six interceptions and 35 pass deflections, along with three and six in the playoffs in that span. Samuel missed the final 14 games due to stinger symptoms in both shoulders and underwent spinal fusion surgery in April. He was cleared last week and had visits lined up with the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Also Read: Los Angeles Chargers: 1 Major Reason for Star’s Free Agent Status, Green Bay Packers: Cornerback Target Officially Cleared to Play
USATSI 26981988
NFL Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Joey Porter Jr.
Darius Slay Jr. (Hurt)
Jalen Ramsey (Playing safety)
Brandin Echols
James Pierre
Asante Samuel Jr. (Practice Squad)
Daryl Porter (Practice Squad)
D’Shawn Jamison (Practice Squad)
Daequan Hardy (Practice Squad)
Cory Trice Jr. (Injured Reserve)
Dante Kent (Injured Reserve)
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