Steelers Sign Asante Samuel Jr. After Injury Recovery
Asante Samuel Jr. is on the path to recovery and aims to return to the NFL after injury setbacks. The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed him to their practice squad, as reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Samuel’s journey back began after he suffered shoulder and neck issues that cut his season short in 2024 while playing for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Injury and Recovery
During the 2024 season, Samuel participated in four games before being placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder problem. He revealed that this injury had roots in a condition he has dealt with since birth. As a result, Samuel underwent spinal fusion surgery in April and missed the beginning of the 2025 season. On November 3, he received clearance to resume football activities.
Contract with the Steelers
The new contract with the Steelers signals optimism for both Samuel and the team regarding his return to the field. The Steelers are particularly interested in his past performance, where he achieved impressive coverage grades exceeding 75.0 during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. This experience could be crucial as they seek to bolster their secondary.
Samuel’s NFL Career Highlights
- Drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
- Played four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Recorded 176 tackles and defended 37 passes over 50 regular-season games.
- Achieved three interceptions in the Chargers’ Wild Card playoff game in January 2023.
Team Needs and Future Outlook
The Steelers require depth in their secondary, facing challenges due to injuries and inconsistent performances from players like Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay. Depending on Samuel’s progress with the practice squad, there’s potential for him to be activated by the end of the 2025 season.
In summary, Asante Samuel Jr.’s signing represents a hopeful step for both the player and the Steelers as they aim to strengthen their roster amid ongoing challenges.
