The Steelers signed Samuel off the practice squad Tuesday, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Samuel was signed to the Steelers' practice squad Nov. 11 after being cleared to return to football activities following his spinal fusion surgery for a back injury he suffered in the tail end of the 2024 season. He logged 28 defensive snaps as a practice squad elevation in the 26-7 loss to the Bills last Sunday in the wake of the injury to outside cornerback James Pierre (concussion). The newly signed cornerback replaces 34-year-old Darius Slay on the active roster and will likely start at outside corner against the Ravens in Week 14 if Pierre cannot suit up.
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Steelers' Asante Samuel: Set to make Steelers debut
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Samuel is active for Sunday's game against the Bills one day after being elevated from the practice squad, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
The cornerback had to recover from back surgery before signing with Pittsburgh on Nov. 11. Now, with Darius Slay (coach's decision) inactive, Samuel should see action in his first game with his new team.
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Steelers' Asante Samuel: Headed for Steelers debut
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The Steelers elevated Samuel from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Samuel had a lengthy recovery from back surgery before signing with the Steelers on Nov. 11. This marks his first elevation from the practice squad, and he could see his first game action since Week 4 of the 2024 season if he is active Sunday against the Bills.
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Asante Samuel: Finds work in Pittsburgh
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The Steelers signed Samuel to the practice squad Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Samuel underwent spinal fusion surgery on his neck after the 2024 season and was recently cleared to return to football activities. He'll practice on the practice squad with the Steelers and look to join the active roster after Darius Slay suffered a concussion in Week 10 against the Chargers.
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Asante Samuel: Cleared for football activities
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Samuel (back) is set to meet with teams this week after fully recovering from spinal fusion surgery in April, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Samuel was dealing with a stinger injury in both shoulders toward the tail end of the 2024 season as a member of the Chargers, which was severe enough for him to require surgery. The 2021 second-rounder has been cleared to engage in football activities and should garner interest from teams in need of depth at cornerback.
Samuel (shoulder) has been dealing with "stinger symptoms," which caused him to miss the majority of the 2024 season, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Samuel was limited to just four games in 2024 due to a shoulder injury, recording 13 total tackles (11 solo) and two passes defensed. The cornerback said that he's "feeling better" and that he wants to return to the Chargers in 2025. Samuel will be a free agent this offseason and it's unclear where his next destination will be, but he's confident he'll be ready for the offseason program, with whatever team that may be.
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Chargers' Asante Samuel: Out versus Broncos
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Samuel (shoulder) is out for Sunday's outing against Denver.
Samuel has had a lingering shoulder injury since the beginning of September, but he'll now miss his first game of the season due to it. The 2021 second-round pick has 13 tackles (11 solo) so far this season, and his next chance to play will be Oct. 21 against Arizona.
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Chargers' Asante Samuel: Good to go Sunday
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Samuel (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Raiders.
Samuel tweaked his shoulder during Friday's practice, but it isn't serious enough to hold him out of the Chargers' regular-season opener. The 2021 second-round pick will start opposite Kristian Fulton at corner.
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Chargers' Asante Samuel: Injures shoulder Friday
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Samuel (shoulder) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters that Samuel tweaked his shoulder during Friday's practice and is now in jeopardy of missing the Chargers' regular-season opener Sunday, per Rhim. If Samuel is unable to suit up in Week 1, expect Kristian Fulton, Deane Leonard and Cam Hart to see increased snaps at outside corner.
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Chargers' Asante Samuel: Disappoints in second season
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Samuel finished the 2022-23 season with 57 tackles (48 solo), one tackle for loss, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and 11 passes defended across 17 games.
Samuel served as the Chargers' No. 1 corner after J.C. Jackson suffered a season-ending knee injury in late October. The 23-year-old had a disappointing second season, recording the same amount of pass deflections and interceptions as he did during his rookie year despite playing in five more games, while also allowing a team-high six touchdowns. While the potential is there, Samuel has struggled with consistency but will look to try and put it all together going into his third season.
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Chargers' Asante Samuel: Not in line to start
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Samuel appears to be losing ground on the starting outside cornerback role opposite J.C. Jackson, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Michael Davis was expected to lose his starting role after the offseason signings of Jackson and slot corner Bryce Callahan, but instead it appears as if Samuel could be relegated to No. 4 corner. Samuel did play slot at times for the Chargers during his rookie campaign and showed flashes of being a turnover difference maker, but Callahan's excellence in that capacity might mean the second-year corner is simply the odd man out of the starting equation.
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Chargers' Asante Samuel: Inactive Thursday
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Samuel (concussion) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Kansas City.
Samuel was a limited participant in practice all week, but he'll be unable to return to game action Thursday. Chris Harris should continue to handle an increased role against the Chiefs.
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Chargers' Asante Samuel: Questionable Thursday
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Samuel (concussion) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Chiefs.
Samuel was a limited participant at practice Monday and Tuesday, and he has a chance to return Thursday following a three-game absence due to a concussion. If he's unavailable once again, Chris Harris should continue to see additional playing time.
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Chargers' Asante Samuel: Out for Week 13
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Samuel (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals.
Samuel was unable to clear concussion protocol for a second straight week, leading to him being ruled out for Week 13. Kiondre Thomas and Tevaughn Campbell will play increased snaps in the secondary again this weekend.
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Chargers' Asante Samuel: Absent from practice Wednesday
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Samuel (concussion) did not practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Samuel continues to work through the concussion protocol and appears to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup against the Bengals. Kiondre Thomas and Tevaughn Campbell will remain candidates to see increased work as long as Samuel can't go.
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Chargers' Asante Samuel: Logs full practice
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Samuel (concussion) was able to practice fully Wednesday, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Samuel suffered a concussion in Week 8 and was unable to play for the Chargers in Week 9. While it's uncertain if the cornerback has cleared concussion protocols, there's optimism Samuel will be able to play in Week 10 after practicing fully Wednesday. Expect Ryan Smith and Tevaughn Campbell to see increased roles Sunday if Samuel can't suit up against the Vikings.
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Chargers' Asante Samuel: Bolts to Los Angeles
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The Chargers selected Samuel in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 47th overall.
This is a strong value pick for Los Angeles, as Samuel was the best corner on the board and would not have lasted much longer had the Chargers gone in another direction. The Florida State product lacks ideal size (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) to stick outside against big receivers; however, Samuel possesses natural coverage ability and starter-level athleticism highlighted by 4.41-second speed in the 40. Samuel joins a talented cornerback group alongside Chris Harris.
