The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a No. 3 quarterback available for the second half of the season.

Rookie sixth-round pick Will Howard was activated from injured reserve Wednesday and joins starter Aaron Rodgers and backup Mason Rudolph on the 53-man roster.

Howard began the season on injured reserve with a broken finger and was designated to return three weeks ago. Howard had to be activated Wednesday or spend the rest of the season on the IR list. Howard was injured during training camp on a center-quarterback exchange and did not play in the preseason.

To make room for Howard on the 53-man roster, the Steelers waived running back Trey Sermon, who could be re-signed to the practice squad. Sermon was added to the active roster last week.

The other move announced by the Steelers was the signing of cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the practice squad. Samuel joined the Steelers following a tryout. He was cleared to return to play after undergoing spinal fusion surgery in April. He was limited to four games last season with the Los Angeles Chargers because of neck and shoulder injuries.

Samuel made 47 starts in 50 career games with the Chargers, who selected him in the second round of the 2021 draft. He has six career interceptions.

Samuel will wear No. 22, the digits worn by his father, Asante Samuel, during his 11-year NFL career with New England, Green Bay and Atlanta. With Samuel joining the practice squad, the Steelers cut defensive back Darrick Forrest.

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