Asante Samuel Jr. Injury News & Updates

The Steelers signed Samuel to the practice squad Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel underwent spinal fusion surgery on his neck after the 2024 season and was recently cleared to return to football activities. He'll practice on the practice squad with the Steelers and look to join the active roster after Darius Slay suffered a concussion in Week 10 against the Chargers.

Samuel (back) is set to meet with teams this week after fully recovering from spinal fusion surgery in April, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel was dealing with a stinger injury in both shoulders toward the tail end of the 2024 season as a member of the Chargers, which was severe enough for him to require surgery. The 2021 second-rounder has been cleared to engage in football activities and should garner interest from teams in need of depth at cornerback.

Samuel will undergo a CT scan in October to ensure his spinal fusion surgery was successful, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel remains a free agent and underwent neck surgery back in April. After his October meeting with the medical professionals, Samuel's goal is to return to the field for the second half of the season. He appeared in just four regular-season games with the Chargers last season but is still just 25 years old.

Samuel (neck/shoulder) underwent neck surgery in April, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Samuel will have a check-up appointment in July. The 25-year-old free agent cornerback visited with the Saints on Monday, but he will reconvene with interested teams after deemed fully healthy. Samuel appeared in just four regular-season games last season due to shoulder and neck issues. He's aiming to return to the field in 2025.

Samuel (neck/shoulder) remains unsigned and has a "medical concern" that's impacting teams' interest in him, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Garafolo also confirmed the medical concern is related to the neck/shoulder injury that limited Samuel to four games in 2024. A previous report said he's dealing with something similar to stinger symptoms, only lasting for months rather than weeks. The 2021 second-round pick made 47 starts in four years with the Chargers, recording double-digit pass defenses and exactly two interceptions each of his first three years on the team. Samuel reportedly visited with the Cardinals a couple weeks ago, but there haven't been any other reports of visits or serious interest, leaving him as one of the top unsigned players heading into the second month of the NFL league year.

Samuel (shoulder) has been dealing with "stinger symptoms," which caused him to miss the majority of the 2024 season, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Samuel was limited to just four games in 2024 due to a shoulder injury, recording 13 total tackles (11 solo) and two passes defensed. The cornerback said that he's "feeling better" and that he wants to return to the Chargers in 2025. Samuel will be a free agent this offseason and it's unclear where his next destination will be, but he's confident he'll be ready for the offseason program, wherever that is.

Speaking with the media Wednesday, coach Jim Harbaugh said the Chargers don't expect Samuel (shoulder) to play Sunday against the Falcons, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Samuel hasn't played since Week 4, and there's been no indication he's close to returning to the practice field despite being eligible to come off injured reserve at any time. When asked if he expected Samuel to play again this season, Harbaugh replied, "I don't know." Kristian Fulton, Elijah Molden, Ja'Sir Taylor, Tarheeb Still and Deane Leonard are filling cornerback duties.

Samuel (shoulder) was placed on IR on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Samuel hurt his shoulder prior to the Chargers' season opener but was able to start each of the team's first four games. However, the Week 5 bye didn't help Samuel overcome the issue, and his placement on IR means he'll need to miss at least Los Angeles' next four contests. Cam Hart will likely take Samuel's spot in the starting lineup at cornerback.

Samuel (shoulder) is out for Sunday's outing against Denver.

Samuel has had a lingering shoulder injury since the beginning of September, but he'll now miss his first game of the season due to it. The 2021 second-round pick has 13 tackles (11 solo) so far this season, and his next chance to play will be Oct. 21 against Arizona.

Samuel (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Samuel tweaked his shoulder during Friday's practice, but it isn't serious enough to hold him out of the Chargers' regular-season opener. The 2021 second-round pick will start opposite Kristian Fulton at corner.

Samuel (shoulder) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters that Samuel tweaked his shoulder during Friday's practice and is now in jeopardy of missing the Chargers' regular-season opener Sunday, per Rhim. If Samuel is unable to suit up in Week 1, expect Kristian Fulton, Deane Leonard and Cam Hart to see increased snaps at outside corner.

Samuel finished the 2022-23 season with 57 tackles (48 solo), one tackle for loss, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and 11 passes defended.

Samuel served as the Chargers' No. 1 corner after J.C. Jackson suffered a season-ending knee injury in late October. The 23-year-old had a disappointing second season as he recorded the same amount of pass deflections and interceptions as he did during his rookie year despite playing in five more games, while also letting up a team-high six touchdowns. While the potential is there, Samuel has struggled with consistency but will look to try and put it all together going into his third season.

Samuel recorded four tackles (zero solo) and two passes defended during Sunday's 37-23 loss to the Seahawks.

Samuel finished with a team high in passes defended as he made his seventh start of the season against Seattle. The second-year cornerback has played all but four defensive snaps for the Chargers this season, recording 26 tackles, seven passes defended and an interception. Samuel should continue to serve as the Bolts' top cornerback with J.C. Jackson (kneecap) now expected to miss the remainder of the 2022 campaign.

Samuel appears to be losing ground on the starting outside cornerback role opposite J.C. Jackson, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Michael Davis was expected to lose his starting role after the offseason signings of Jackson and slot corner Bryce Callahan, but instead it appears as if Samuel could be relegated to No. 4 corner. Samuel did play slot at times for the Chargers during his rookie campaign and showed flashes of being a turnover difference maker, but Callahan's excellence in that capacity might mean the second-year corner is simply the odd man out of the starting equation.

Samuel (concussion) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Texans.

Samuel has been sidelined since Week 12 with a concussion, though he logged a trio of full practices this week. Now that he's cleared from concussion protocol, Samuel should return to a substantial role in the Chargers' secondary. The rookie has recorded 31 total tackles with seven passes defended and two interceptions across nine games.

Samuel (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice session.

Samuel has missed the last four games due to a concussion, but his full participation in practice Wednesday is an encouraging sign. If he can remain a full participant Thursday and Friday, he should have a good chance to return for Sunday's matchup against the Texans.

Samuel (concussion) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Kansas City.

Samuel was a limited participant in practice all week, but he'll be unable to return to game action Thursday. Chris Harris should continue to handle an increased role against the Chiefs.

Samuel (concussion) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Chiefs.

Samuel was a limited participant at practice Monday and Tuesday, and he has a chance to return Thursday following a three-game absence due to a concussion. If he's unavailable once again, Chris Harris should continue to see additional playing time.

Samuel (concussion) is out Sunday against the Giants.

Samuel still hasn't cleared concussion protocols but will try to return for Week 15 against the Chiefs. In Samuels' absence, Tevaughn Campbell will be looking at a healthy workload.

Samuel (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals.

Samuel was unable to clear concussion protocol for a second straight week, ultimately being ruled out for Week 13. Kiondre Thomas and Tevaughn Campbell will play increased snaps in the secondary again this weekend.

Samuel (concussion) did not practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Samuel continues to work through the concussion protocol, and appears to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup against the Bengals. Kiondre Thomas and Tevaughn Campbell will remain candidates to see increased work as long as Samuel can't go.

Samuel won't return to Sunday's game against the Steelers after he was diagnosed with a concussion.

Samuel totaled seven tackles (five solo) and a pass defense in Sunday's matchup prior to exiting the game. If he's forced to miss additional time, Kiondre Thomas and Tevaughn Campbell could see increased snaps.

Samuel is being evaluated for a head injury after leaving Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Samuel sustained his injury in the second half of Sunday's matchup after he recorded seven tackles (five solo) and a pass defense to begin the game. If he's diagnosed with a concussion, he'll have several steps to clear if he hopes to play in Week 12.

Samuel (concussion) was able to practice fully Wednesday, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Samuel suffered a concussion in Week 8 and was unable to play for the Chargers in Week 9. While it's uncertain if the cornerback has cleared concussion protocols yet, there's optimism Samuel will be able to play in Week 10 after practicing fully Wednesday. Expect Ryan Smith and Tevaughn Campbell to see increased roles Sunday, if Samuel can't suit up against the Vikings.

Samuel (concussion) will not play Sunday against the Eagles.

Samuel picked up the concussion in the Chargers' Week 8 game against the Patriots. He was unable to clear protocols in time to be available Sunday. With Alohi Gilman (ankle) doubtful it's possible the Chargers will need Ryan Smith and Trey Marshall to both step up in bigger roles in the secondary.

Samuel has been ruled out with a concussion.

The loss is yet another blow to an already beleaguered Chargers secondary. Kemon Hall and Ryan Smith will likely see extra snaps as a result.

Samuel recorded four tackles (one solo) and an interception in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Cowboys.

Samuel recorded his first career interception on a badly overthrown pass by Dak Prescott, returning it 26 yards to set up the Chargers in great scoring position. The rookie second-round pick has been a critical starter through two weeks, averaging close to 90 percent of the defensive snaps and has more than exceeded expectations to date.