Veteran cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is ready for his Pittsburgh Steelers debut. The team announced Saturday that it elevated Samuel from the practice squad to the active roster for the Week 13 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
However, the Steelers also had bad news Saturday. The team placed injured starting left tackle Broderick Jones on injured reserve.
With the move, Jones will not be eligible to play again until Week 17.
While speaking to reporters Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out Jones for Sunday’s showdown versus the Bills. But it wasn’t clear whether Jones would need to miss more than just a single game.
The left tackle exited the Week 12 matchup versus the Chicago Bears on November 23 because of a neck injury.
Sunday will be the first game in Jones’s three-year NFL career he will not be available to play. From a healthy perspective, Samuel is on the opposite spectrum.
Against the Bills, Samuel will be appearing in his first NFL game since September 29, 2024. Samuel didn’t play after Week 4 last season because of a shoulder injury.
The Steelers added Samuel to their practice squad on November 11.
CB Asante Samuel Jr. Set to Make Steelers Debut
With Jalen Ramsey moved to safety and Darius Slay in the concussion protocol early in November, it made a lot of sense for the Steelers to take a flier on Samuel. The 26-year-old will finally get a shot to at least provide some depth on game day for Pittsburgh.
Samuel will make his team debut with starting Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. potentially less than 100%. Porter practiced in limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday because of a hip issue.
Samuel’s elevation could be an indication that Porter won’t play his usual snaps. However, Porter did fully practice Friday and doesn’t have an injury designation entering Sunday,
Slay made his return from the concussion protocol in Week 12.
In four NFL seasons, Samuel has posted 176 combined tackles, 37 pass defenses and six interceptions.
Steelers Place Broderick Jones on Injured Reserve
The former 2023 first-round pick mostly failed to live up to his draft hype the first two years of his career. But back at his more natural left tackle spot in 2025, Jones has settled in this season and played well.
With that in mind, his absence could be significant, especially given that the Steelers don’t have a ton of tackle depth on their roster.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly described Jones landing on injured reserve as “not good” for the team.
Added Asante Samuel to 53-many
In Week 13 versus the Bills, the Steelers will start veteran Andrus Peat at left tackle. The New Orleans Saints drafted Peat at No. 13 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. Peat has played left tackle and guard throughout his 11-year NFL career.
The 32-year-old has mostly been a healthy scratch for the Steelers this season. In Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Peat started at left guard for an injured Isaac Seumalo, but Peat only played eight snaps on offense.
Peat made his last start at left tackle in 2023.
Steelers Get Bad Injury Update & Make Asante Samuel Jr. Move Before Bills Game