The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to start cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. on Monday, stepping in for the injured James Pierre. This will mark Samuel’s inaugural start with the Steelers, and he has received high praise from teammate and defensive back Jalen Ramsey, who spoke positively about Samuel’s fit within the team’s defensive unit.
Ramsey expressed his admiration for Samuel’s work ethic and enthusiasm, noting, “Always on it, very attentive on the field, in meetings, everything like that… His demeanor, his energy, his mentality is something that we welcome in the DB room.” Samuel is eager to regain his rhythm on the field after an extended absence, having not played in a game until recently against the Buffalo Bills.
Last season, Samuel faced a challenging situation, suffering a season-ending spinal cord injury in Week 4. His journey back to football has been arduous, and now he feels ready to contribute significantly as he seizes this opportunity with the Steelers.
While Samuel’s availability midseason has been unusual due to the emergence of Pierre and Joey Porter Jr., this weekend marks a turning point as Pierre deals with a calf injury. Samuel now has a chance to step up and make an impact during a crucial stretch of the season, especially as the Steelers aim for a playoff berth.
Given Samuel’s experience with the Los Angeles Chargers, he is poised to rise to the occasion on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. With Pierre previously being one of the league’s top corners this season, the Steelers are hopeful that Samuel can deliver a strong performance and help mitigate the loss. This matchup presents an excellent opportunity for Samuel to showcase his abilities and re-establish his presence in the NFL, coming back into the spotlight just when the Steelers need him most.