PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – During his news conference at noon on Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he was leaving Jalen Ramsey at safety even with starting corner Darius Slay in concussion protocol. Beyond the play of backup corner James Pierre, maybe a reason for that decision was what happened later that afternoon.
Reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, after visiting with a number of teams, former Chargers corner Asante Samuel, Junior is signing with the Steelers and being placed on the practice squad.
Samuel has been fully cleared after spinal fusion surgery this offseason. He only turned 26-years-old last month and was Los Angeles’ second-round pick in 2021 out of Florida State.
He played every game his first three years in the NFL before suffering the injury after the fourth game last year. In his first three seasons, six interceptions, 35 passes defensed and 163 tackles (137 solo).
Beyond Pierre, the only other corner currently on the Steelers active roster is Brandin Echols. Corey Trice, Junior is currently in the 21-day window to return from Injured Reserve. Steelers also have Penn Hills HS grad Daequan Hardy and D’Shawn Jamison listed as corners on the practice squad