Despite visiting the Packers last week, veteran cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelersaccording to multiple reports.

Samuel will be added to the Steelers’ practice squad.

Doctors independently cleared Samuel recently, and he took a string of visits to teams over the last week.

The upside for Pittsburgh is obvious if Samuel returns to form. https://t.co/DD1hzhWDLR

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 11, 2025

In his first three years in the NFL, Samuel had six interceptions and 35 passes defended, but a collision in practice last year during the bye week caused a neck injury that forced him to miss most of the rest of the 2024 season.

The injury was considered career-threatening and Samuel became a free agent. Samuel was forced to undergo spinal fusion surgery to continue his career. He’s in his fifth season in the league after being drafted in the second round in 2021 by the Chargers.

Samuel has been cleared to return to the field and six teams were reportedly interested in his services including the Packers. He joins former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh. Despite recent struggles, including a 35-25 loss to the Packers last month, the Steelers lead the AFC North at 5-4.

Though Samuel would have provided depth in the secondary, starting cornerbacks Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine played an excellent game Nov. 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 10-7 loss.

The NFL Network reported that NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears were also interested in Samuel.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. signs with Pittsburgh Steelers