Seventeen days after joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, Asante Samuel Jr. was informed he would be in uniform for an NFL game for the first time in 427 days.

“They told me (Saturday),” Samuel said of Steelers management revealing he would play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. “They said, ‘Stay ready and just take it play by play.’ ”

A five-year veteran cornerback, Samuel did just that — but the plan adapted midway through Sunday’s game, which ended in a 26-7 a loss. When starting cornerback James Pierre went into concussion protocol after absorbing a hit, Samuel was called upon to play a significant role on defense as an outside cornerback through the second half.

Sunday represented Samuel’s first action since Sept. 29, 2024. He underwent neck surgery this spring and signed with the Steelers to their practice squad Nov. 12.

“It was like riding a bike,” Samuel said, noting he had kept his conditioning high. “Just getting my feet under me and just little things like that. But I felt good. We just didn’t win, so that was my main focus.”

Samuel was elevated from the practice squad and was in uniform in lieu of veteran Darius Slay, who signed an $10 million contract in March but lost his starting job to Pierre after suffering a concussion of his own last month.

Slay was inactive against Buffalo, signaling Samuel has passed him on the depth chart. The 26-year-old Samuel made 47 starts among the 50 he played for the Los Angeles Chargers from 2021-24.

According to Pro Football Focus, in his 28 defensive snaps played Samuel was the Steelers’ third highest-graded player on defense against Buffalo. He was not targeted in any of his 10 coverage snaps and made three tackles.

It’s possible the Steelers make a formal move to add Samuel to their 53-man active roster as soon as Tuesday. If Pierre cannot play in this coming Sunday’s AFC North showdown against the Baltimore Ravens, Samuel could start opposite Joey Porter Jr.

Regardless of Pierre’s availability, the Steelers’ final five games of the season could serve as an audition of sorts for Samuel to earn a potential multi-year contract this spring as a projected starter for the Steelers in 2026 and going forward.

“I’m just doing whatever I can do, just working hard, maximizing each and every day,” Samuel said.

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