The NFL trade deadline has come and gone. But the Pittsburgh Steelers are still pursuing other avenues to acquire potential roster upgrades regardless of how competitive it might be to sign a veteran such as cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday the Steelers are one of six teams who will host Samuel for a visit. Samuel will see those six teams over the next week.
Unless there’s a change to his schedule, the Steelers will be the last organization he visits.
The other teams he will see include the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears.
A former 2021 second-round pick, Samuel hasn’t played in an NFL regular season game since September 29, 2024.
Asante Samuel Jr. Battling Back From Spinal Fusion Surgery
When Samuel first landed on IR in October last year, his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers, called the ailment a shoulder injury.
But in January, a report from ESPN’s Kris Rhim revealed a far more complicated injury. Samuel told Rhim the injury occurred after a collision in practice and was related to an issue he has been dealing with since he was born.
He also said the injury is an issue he’s been dealing with since he was born but didn’t want to go into details.
Then in April, Samuel underwent spinal fusion surgery.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday that Samuel has been cleared to return to football activities. With a potential return now possible, it’s not surprising Samuel has plenty of suitors.
Samuel never received any post-season accolades with the Chargers. However, he was always regarded as rising cornerback while playing in Los Angeles.
During 2023, Samuel posted 63 combined tackles, 13 pass defenses and two interceptions.
Fowler reported Wednesday, Dr. David Okonkwo, neurosurgeon for the Steelers, performed Samuel’s procedure. It’s not clear if that will give the Steelers an edge when trying to sign Samuel. But it likely doesn’t hurt.
How Samuel Could Fit With the Steelers
Pundits considered wide receiver the biggest need for the Steelers before the NFL trade deadline. But after a tough October for the Pittsburgh defense, cornerback was also considered a significant need before Tuesday.
On October 28, the Steelers acquired safety Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots. But the team didn’t add a cornerback at the deadline.
The Steelers placed starting safety DeShon Elliott on injured reserve last week. And even with Dugger added to the secondary, the team plans to play Jalen Ramsey more at safety going forward.
While the Steelers can move Ramsey to safety because they have cornerback depth, adding Samuel as extra cornerback insurance would make a lot of sense.
With Samuel, the Steelers could also rely on 34-year-old Darius Slay for fewer snaps. Slay has struggled in the first half of his inaugural season in Pittsburgh.
Samuels started 47 of 50 games for the Chargers from 2021-24. He played in 17 contests during both the 2022 and 2023 campaigns.
In 50 career games, he has posted 176 combined tackles, including three tackles for loss. Samuels has also registered 37 pass defenses and six interceptions.
Joey Porter Jr., Brandin Echols and James Pierre are the other cornerbacks currently on Pittsburgh’s 53-man active roster.
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