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Brooke Pryor
PITTSBURGH — Reinforcements are coming to aid the Pittsburgh Steelers’ depleted defensive backfield.
The Steelers are expected to sign defensive back Asante Samuel Jr. to their practice squad, according to information obtained by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Ranked as a top-25 overall free agent by ESPN in March, Samuel’s signing was delayed due to spinal-fusion surgery he underwent in April. While initially joining the practice squad, Samuel possesses the potential to address critical needs amidst the increasing number of injuries within the secondary.
Defensive back Darius Slay is currently under concussion protocol following an accidental helmet-to-helmet collision with teammate Kyle Dugger during Sunday’s game. Jalen Ramsey, previously the team’s starting slot defensive back, has spent a significant portion of the last two games at free safety due to injuries impacting that position.
Prior to the expected arrival of Samuel, the Steelers had only three available full-time defensive backs as they approached a crucial series of games, starting with Sunday’s rematch against the Cincinnati Bengals: James Pierre, Brandin Echols, and Joey Porter Jr. Echols was positioned in the slot against the Chargers, while Pierre took on the role of outside defensive back.
He began 2024 as the Los Angeles Chargers’ primary defensive back, but his season concluded prior to their Week 6 contest against the Denver Broncos when he was placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury. Samuel’s participation in just four games was the fewest in his career.
At the conclusion of the season, Samuel characterized the injury as a stinger affecting both shoulders, but also indicated it was a recurring condition since birth. While he refrained from providing specific details, he expressed confidence that it would not adversely affect his future in the sport.
Samuel, age 26, possesses exceptional ball-handling skills and remarkable instincts in coverage. During the Chargers’ 2022 playoff defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he secured three interceptions against quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the first half of the game.
Samuel’s primary weakness lies in his tackling ability, often exhibiting suboptimal angles when pursuing ball carriers and conceding more yards after the catch than anticipated.
Selected as a second-round pick from Florida State in 2021, Samuel has accumulated 176 tackles and six interceptions throughout his 50 career games (47 starts).
ESPN’s Kris Rhim assisted in the creation of this report.
