PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Following his first practice with the team on Wednesday, new Steelers corner Asante Samuel, Junior said he’s the healthiest he’s been as a pro, trying to maximize and improve every day with no promises from the coaching staff.
Samuel, Junior signed with the Steelers on Tuesday after visits with several teams. He was able to get on the field and get some work in, and while he’s been able to run and lift, he hasn’t played a game since September 29 of last year. He had spinal fusion surgery in Pittsburgh his offseason and only last week started working out with teams.
“It meant the world to me, you know, just being out there putting on a helmet, putting on cleats, going at it, competing with other guys, you know, that's trying to accomplish the same goal as me,” Samuel said. “And just trying to win at the end of the day. That's all it's about winning. And I know that's all that's about over here winning and it's a winning culture and I wanted to be a part of that.”
Samuel said he chose the Steelers because it’s a great organization, great team, great guys and great coaching. He said the team is filled with a lot of talented players and he wanted to be a part of that and maybe raise the bar on what they can do.
It’s likely the 26-year-old would play on the outside and not in the slot. This is a different situation than with safety Kyle Dugger who had two practices and started due to injury and illness. Steelers still have Joey Porter, Junior, while in concussion protocol, starter Darius Slay has not been ruled out and Mike Tomlin praised back-up James Pierre, who has played 90 games in his Steelers career with eight starts.
In his first three seasons in the NFL after being the Chargers second-round pick out of Florida State, Samuel had six picks, 35 passes defensed and 163 tackles.
“I feel great,” Samuel said. “It’s the greatest, the healthiest I’ve ever been, you know, ‘cause I’ve been dealing with it and I got it fixed. Now I feel good.”
He didn’t come to the Steelers to sit on a practice squad. Will see how this plays out.