The Pittsburgh Steelers added a veteran piece to the secondary by signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to their practice squad, a league source confirmed Tuesday.
Samuel, 26, is a five-year NFL veteran who has not played since September 2024 because of a shoulder injury that required what was referred to in reports as spinal fusion surgery. He had been working out for teams in recent weeks.
A former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers, Samuel has started 47 of 50 career games. He has six career interceptions. In each of the past two full seasons he’s played, Samuel has graded as a top-23 cornerback in the NFL.
The Steelers have endured attrition in their secondary, and starting cornerback Darius Slay is in concussion protocol as the practice week begins Wednesday.
Slay was forced to leave Sunday’s loss at the Chargers. James Pierre took his place. Two weeks ago, the Steelers moved former All-Pro Jalen Ramsey from cornerback to safety, and coach Mike Tomlin expressed satisfaction Tuesday with that move and indicated it would be permanent.
With Ramsey at safety, before the addition of Samuel the Steelers had only Joey Porter Jr., Brandin Echols and Pierre as healthy cornerbacks on the roster until Slay is cleared.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Samuel has been deployed almost exclusively as an outside cornerback throughout his NFL career. His father played 11 seasons in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and a spot on the 2007 All-Pro team.
According to the NFL transactions wire, the Steelers released veteran safety Darrick Forrest from their practice squad in the likely corresponding move to the addition of Samuel.
