PITTSBURGH — Assistance is on the best way for the banged-up Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary.
The Steelers are signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the workforce’s follow squad, a supply instructed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
An ESPN top-25 general free agent in March, Samuel underwent spinal-fusion surgical procedure in April, delaying his signing. Although Samuel is becoming a member of the follow squad, he might fill a serious want with accidents piling up within the secondary.
Cornerback Darius Slay is within the concussion protocol after an incidental helmet-to-helmet hit with teammate Kyle Dugger on Sunday. Jalen Ramsey, as soon as the workforce’s beginning slot nook, has spent the majority of the final two video games at free security after accidents decimated that group.
Earlier than Samuel’s anticipated addition, the Steelers had simply three wholesome full-time corners getting into a pivotal stretch, starting with Sunday’s rematch in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals: James Pierre, Brandin Echols and Joey Porter Jr. Echols performed within the slot in opposition to the Chargers, whereas Pierre stepped up at exterior nook.
He had been the Los Angeles Chargers’ prime nook heading into 2024, however his season ended forward of their Week 6 sport in opposition to the Denver Broncos when he landed on injured reserve with a shoulder harm. Samuel’s 4 video games had been the least he is performed in his profession.
On the finish of the season, Samuel described the harm as a stinger in each shoulders but in addition a situation he is been coping with since he was born. He declined to enter specifics however mentioned he wasn’t involved that it will influence his profession shifting ahead.
Samuel, 26, has elite ball expertise and nice instincts in protection. Within the Chargers’ 2022 playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he intercepted quarterback Trevor Lawrence thrice within the first half.
Samuel’s greatest flaw is tackling, usually taking poor angles on ball carriers and permitting extra yards after the catch than anticipated.
A second-round decide in 2021 out of Florida State, Samuel has 176 tackles and 6 interceptions in 50 profession video games (47 begins).
ESPN’s Kris Rhim contributed to this report.