Brooke Pryor
PITTSBURGH — Assistance is on the way in which for the banged-up Pittsburgh Steelers' secondary.
The Steelers are signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the staff's follow squad, a supply informed ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
An ESPN top-25 total 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 significant 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 staff's beginning slot nook, has spent the majority of the previous 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 damage. Samuel's 4 video games have been the least he is performed in his profession.
On the finish of the season, Samuel described the damage as a stinger in each shoulders but additionally a situation he is been coping with since he was born. He declined to enter specifics however stated he wasn't involved that it could influence his profession transferring ahead.
Samuel, 26, has elite ball abilities and nice instincts in protection. Within the Chargers' 2022 playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he intercepted quarterback Trevor Lawrence 3 times within the first half.
Samuel's largest flaw is tackling, typically taking poor angles on ball carriers and permitting extra yards after the catch than anticipated.
A second-round choose 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.
