Free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. has received medical clearance for football activities following his spinal fusion surgery in April, and he is set to begin free agency visits as early as this week. This positive development comes as several NFL teams are actively seeking a cornerback in light of the upcoming trade deadline, which is scheduled for Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Samuel’s journey through recovery has been notable. Back in March, he was ranked as the No. 14 overall free agent in ESPN’s pre-free agency rankings, with many team executives considering him the top cornerback available. Unfortunately, injuries limited his performance during the 2024 season, where he only appeared in four games after being placed on injured reserve. Samuel himself revealed that he had long been dealing with a shoulder condition, which he described as a stinger, indicating that he had faced these challenges since birth. As the situation progressed, it became apparent that surgery was necessary to address the issue.
Prominent neurosurgeon Dr. David Okonkwo, associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers, performed the surgical procedure, with additional evaluations conducted by Dr. Nicholas Theodore, a specialist in spinal trauma.
Throughout his career, Samuel has demonstrated his athletic prowess with 176 tackles and six interceptions over 50 games, 47 of which he started. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, marking the beginning of a promising football career.
This return to football activities marks an encouraging chapter for Samuel, as he aims to resume his career and contribute to a new team in the NFL. With teams actively seeking cornerbacks, Samuel’s readiness could lead to an exciting opportunity for both him and the franchises interested in his services.