The Pittsburgh Steelers were recently linked to former Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.
Now, the Steelers are reportedly signing the 26-year-old to their practice squad.
“Free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is signing with the Steelers practice squad, per source,” ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler posted on X. “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.”
The son of former All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel spent the first four years of his career with the Chargers, collecting two interceptions in each of his first three seasons before finishing with 13 tackles, two passes defended and no picks across four games in 2024.
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Samuel underwent spinal-fusion surgery in April and Fowler recently reported that the former second-round pick had scheduled visits with Pittsburgh, the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor wrote about the reported signing on Tuesday, noting that the Steelers were in dire need of secondary help.
“Though Samuel is joining the practice squad, he could fill a major need with injuries piling up in the secondary,” Pryor wrote. “Cornerback Darius Slay is in the concussion protocol after an incidental helmet-to-helmet hit with teammate Kyle Dugger on Sunday. Jalen Ramsey, once the team’s starting slot corner, has spent the bulk of the last two games at free safety after injuries decimated that group.”
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Pittsburgh’s defense will be tasked with slowing down All-Pro wideout Ja’Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in Week 11.
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