Sportsnaut
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter NFL Week 11 with a 5-4 record, which is good enough for first place in the AFC North. Though, there’s a sense that this team is underachieving under Mike Tomlin, especially now that four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers has come aboard.
While the Steelers’ offense faltered in last week’s 25-10 loss to the Chargers, Pittsburgh’s defense, which ranks 20th in points allowed, has been a far bigger concern. The good news is, help is on the way.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Steelers are signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr to their practice squad. He was recently cleared to resume football activities after undergoing spinal fusion surgery over the offseason. Yet, Samuel may still need a bit more time to ramp up to full speed before seeing the field in a live NFL game again.
Still, the 26-year-old former second-round pick brings 47 games of NFL starting experience to Pittsburgh. He’s recorded 176 tackles, 37 pass deflections, and six interceptions across four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Samuel was widely regarded as the best cornerback available left unsigned in free agency. There was a lot of interest in his services, with several teams bringing him in for a workout last week. After evaluating his options, Samuel evidently felt like Pittsburgh presented him with the best career opportunity.
Related: NFL Report Card: Grading All Teams Before NFL Week 11
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