Steelers bringing in Asante Samuel Jr. for cornerback help

Ray Fittipaldo and Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Nov 11, 2025

Published in Football

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers signed veteran cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to their practice squad on Tuesday after he worked out for Steelers scouts earlier in the day, sources told the Post-Gazette.

Samuel, a free agent, underwent spinal fusion surgery in the spring and was not on an NFL roster this season. Drafted by the Chargers in the second round of the 2021 draft, Samuel started 50 games over the past four seasons, including four last season before the injury cut his season short.

Samuel, who has six career interceptions, joins an injury-depleted secondary that could use some help at cornerback. Darius Slay, who started the first nine games this season, begins the week in concussion protocol after he left Sunday’s game with the Chargers due to a head injury. Jalen Ramsey, who had played outside corner and slot corner in the first seven games of the season, has been used strictly at free safety the past two games, and head coach Mike Tomlin indicated on Tuesday during his weekly news conference that he’s likely to remain in that role again for Sunday’s game against the Bengals.

If that holds true, it would leave the Steelers with Joey Porter Jr., Brandin Echols and James Pierre to match up with a Bengals receiving corps that features Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

In the first matchup against the Bengals three weeks ago, Chase and Higgins combined to catch 22 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Tomlin expressed confidence in Pierre, who took over for Slay against the Chargers and finished with five tackles and two passes defended.

“James is always game,” Tomlin said. “I thought he played really well, but I thought he's played really well when called upon all year. I think it's reflective of how he plays and the level of professionalism that he brings day in and day out. Man, it's been cool to watch the growth and development of his career over the time that he's been here.”

The Steelers could elevate or sign Samuel from the practice squad to the 53-man roster before Sunday’s game if he is a quick study. Two weeks ago, the Steelers acquired Kyle Dugger in a trade and started him against the Colts five days later after he practiced just twice with the team.