Asante Samuel Jr. Signed To Pittsburgh Steelers’ Practice Squad

The journey for Samuel Jr. has been anything but smooth. He underwent a spinal fusion surgery back in April, a procedure that sounds more like a sci-fi movie plot than a football injury report. That serious operation put his free agency on ice. Now, at 26, he’s looking to prove he’s still got the juice.

His last season with the Chargers was cut short by a shoulder injury, a “stinger” he described as something he’s dealt with since birth. While he’s publicly stated it won’t derail his career, teams were clearly hesitant.

Landing on the practice squad is a low-risk, high-reward move for Pittsburgh. It gives them a chance to see what he’s got left in the tank without a massive commitment. If he shows flashes of his old self, he could be activated quickly.

What Can Samuel Jr. Bring To the Table?

When he’s healthy, Samuel Jr. is a certified ball hawk. His instincts are top-tier, and he possesses the kind of elite ball skills that make quarterbacks have nightmares. Who could forget that playoff game against the Jaguars, where he picked off Trevor Lawrence three times in one half? It was a masterclass in defensive opportunism. That’s the kind of game-changing ability the Steelers’ defense has been missing.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Samuel Jr. isn’t without his flaws. His tackling has been… let’s just call it “an adventure.” He’s been known to take some creative angles on ball carriers, sometimes allowing for more yards after the catch than you’d like. It is the classic boom-or-bust player profile. He’ll make a jaw-dropping interception, then miss a tackle that makes you want to pull your hair out.

For now, this signing is a jolt of hope for a defense in desperate need of reinforcements. It might not be the blockbuster move that launches them into Super Bowl contention, but it could be the savvy, under-the-radar signing that helps Mike Tomlin continue his streak of never having a losing season. In Pittsburgh, sometimes that’s a win in itself.