Pittsburgh Steelers part ways with Darius Slay, make room for Asante Samuel Jr.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are waiving cornerback Darius Slay, his agents told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Slay wants to keep playing and will consider signing with other teams. In response to the move, the Steelers are signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. from the practice squad to the active roster, per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.

The Steelers waived Darius Slay after he was a healthy scratch in the team’s Week 13 game against the Buffalo Bills. Slay, who signed a one-year contract with the Steelers back in March, has played in 10 games this year and recorded 36 tackles and one fumble recovery.

It has not been a memorable 2025 season for Slay, who joined the Steelers after spending the previous five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers thought the 34-year-old would be a big contributor on defense, but that has not been the case because of injuries and lack of production.

More on Darius Slay and Asante Samuel Jr.

Slay began his NFL career in 2013 when the Detroit Lions selected him in the second round of the draft. He spent seven seasons in Detroit before the team traded him to the Eagles in March 2020. In his career, Slay has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times, named to the All-Pro First Team in 2017, and helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl last year.

Asante Samuel Jr. joined the Steelers’ practice squad on Nov. 12. He spent his first four NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and missed the majority of last year due to a shoulder injury. Samuel has played in 51 career games and has recorded six interceptions and 37 passes defended.

The Steelers are making moves as they get ready for a big matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Both teams are 6-6, and the winner will have sole possession of the AFC North with four games remaining in the regular season. The Steelers have lost three of their last four games, and the Ravens have won five of their last six.