Brooke Pryor
PITTSBURGH — Seven months after present process spinal fusion surgical procedure to appropriate a lifelong situation that affected his neck and shoulders, new Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. mentioned he feels more healthy than ever after his first soccer apply in additional than a 12 months.
“I really feel nice,” he mentioned Wednesday. “It is the healthiest I've ever been, been coping with it and I acquired it mounted, so now I really feel good.”
Ranked as ESPN's No. 14 total free agent previous to free company, Samuel signed to the Steelers' apply squad Tuesday and joined his new group Wednesday morning.
“I am glad I ended up right here,” Samuel mentioned after apply, including that he is taking it “day-by-day” when requested a few potential elevation to the 53-man roster. “I am glad all the things labored out to be right here, and I am blessed to be right here with nice coaches and nice teammates.”
“… [Practicing] meant the world to me. Simply being on the market, placing on a helmet, placing on cleats, going at it, competing with different guys that is attempting to perform the identical aim as me and simply attempting to win. On the finish of the day, it is about successful, and I do know that is all it is about over right here, successful. It is a successful tradition, and I needed to be part of that.”
Coincidentally, Samuel's spinal fusion surgical procedure was carried out in Pittsburgh by Dr. David Okonkwo, who can be the neurosurgeon for the Steelers. Samuel was cleared to return to soccer actions in October.
Samuel performed simply 4 video games in 2024 earlier than being positioned on season-ending injured reserve, partially as a byproduct of his situation. On the finish of the season, Samuel described the harm as a stinger in each shoulders.
“I used to be enjoying with it for my complete NFL profession, so it is nothing new,” he mentioned Wednesday. “I simply needed to get it mounted.”
Okonkwo and Dr. Nicholas Theodore, who makes a speciality of spinal trauma, reviewed Samuel's scans in early November, sources advised ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Samuel was a second-round draft decide by the Chargers in 2021 and has 176 tackles in 50 video games with 47 profession begins. He took a number of visits to different NFL groups earlier than touchdown with the Steelers.
Although a timeline for Samuel's potential inclusion within the defensive sport plan is unclear, his presence is a lift for a secondary coping with a slew of accidents. Security DeShon Elliott is on IR with a long-term restoration from a hyperextended knee, whereas cornerback Darius Slay is within the concussion protocol. Security Jabrill Peppers is recovering from a quad harm.
To assist fill the gaps at security, the Steelers had already moved cornerback Jalen Ramsey to free security as a result of the cornerback group initially had extra depth. That, although, was examined as soon as Slay entered the concussion protocol towards the Chargers. Free company acquisition Brandin Echols performed within the slot for Ramsey, whereas James Pierre performed at exterior nook.
Relying on how shortly he will get on top of things, Samuel can present depth to that group.
“He is a significant factor, for my part,” Echols mentioned. “I watched loads of his movie earlier than coming to the league. He is a hell of a participant, so with that I simply can't wait to see him ball.”
