Report: Steelers sign cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to practice squad

November 11, 2025 - 4:52pm

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. celebrates after an interception by teammate linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings. (Abbie Parr/AP)

Locked in a battle for the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers are fortifying their defence.

Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. signed with the team's practice squad, Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday.

Samuel Jr. underwent spinal-fusion surgery in April, causing him to miss the first two months of the NFL season. He was expected to be a top free agent heading into the off-season.

With Pittsburgh atop its division at 5-4, Samuel Jr. brings the Steelers much-needed depth as injuries pile up in the secondary.

Cornerback Darius Slay is in concussion protocol, while fellow cornerback Jalen Ramsey to play the majority of his last two games at free safety.

Samuel Jr. was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. In his four seasons with the team, the 26-year-old had 176 tackles, six interceptions and a fumble recovery.