The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the active roster after his debut with the team on Sunday. It follows the release of cornerback Darius Slay , who will look to find a new home.

Samuel would be in line to start on Sunday if James Pierre can not clear concussion protocol. He will be the team’s top reserve backup cornerback with Slay gone from the picture.

“Really it was less about Slay and more about getting a chance to see Asante Samuel,” head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday. “He’s a global NFL starter type that’s been on our practice squad.... it was about getting a look at a guy who has started a lot of guys in this league. And we did, and we liked some of things we saw.”

Samuel had spinal fusion surgery in April, but is now cleared and weighe

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