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Asante Samuel Jr. signing with Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad, per report

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones11/11/25brianjones_93
Los Angeles Chargers v San Francisco 49ers
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: Asante Samuel Jr. #26 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Veteran cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Samuel is ready to make an impact after recovering from spinal fusion surgery.

Samuel entered the offseason as one of the top 25 free agents, according to ESPN. However, his signing was delayed because of the surgery, which he had in April. The Steelers were looking for more depth at the cornerback position, as they had just three healthy corners before the signing of Samuel.

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Asante Samuel Jr. in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He entered the 2024 season as the Chargers’ top cornerback, but Samuel suffered a shoulder injury before Week 6 and ended up playing in only four games.

“At the end of that season, Samuel described the injury as a stinger in both shoulders but also a condition he has been dealing with since he was born,” Fowler wrote when Samuel was cleared for football activities last week. “It became clear in the spring he needed the procedure.”

Can Asante Samuel Jr. help the Steelers make a Super Bowl run?

Samuel has been a productive cornerback throughout his NFL career. In four seasons, the former Florida State star has recorded 176 tackles and six interceptions in 50 career games with 47 starts. Before signing with the Steelers, it was reported that Samuel visited with multiple teams, including the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers.

The Steelers are looking to have a strong second half of the 2025 season and make a push to the Super Bowl. Pittsburgh is currently 5-4 on the year and in first place in the AFC North. But with the Baltimore Ravens only a game behind the Steelers for the division lead, the Steelers are making sure they have the personnel to secure a spot in the playoffs.

After the Steelers lost to the Chargers on Sunday night, linebacker T.J. Watt revealed what the defense needs to do going forward. “We need to get off the field,” he said, per the Steelers’ official website. “That’s our job, to get on and off the field as quick as possible. Good defenses spend a lot of time on the bench, and we haven’t been doing that enough in totality this whole year.”