Steelers keep stumbling, but remain in the hunt for AFC North crown
USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell breaks down the recent woes for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the middle of a tight race for first in the AFC North.
Sports Pulse
The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving on from one of their veteran free-agent acquisitions from this past offseason to make room for a more recent addition.
The team is waiving cornerback Darius Slay Jr. and promoting Asante Samuel Jr. from the practice squad, according to multiple reports.
Slay, 34, signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Steelers this offseason, with the team envisioning that he would hold down the starting spot opposite Joey Porter Jr. The six-time Pro Bowl selection started nine games but largely struggled, surrendering a 103.7 passer rating when targeted this season, according to Next Gen Stats.
In the Steelers’ loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Slay was a healthy scratch, with Samuel playing 28 snaps after being elevated from the practice squad.
Samuel signed with the Steelers in mid-November after undergoing a spinal fusion procedure this offseason. The 26-year-old had remained unsigned throughout the early portion of the season and not played since a shoulder injury ended his 2024 campaign with the Los Angeles Chargers after just four games.
Pittsburgh, which has dropped three of its last four games, will face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday for the AFC North lead.
Steelers claim Adam Thielen off waivers
The Steelers continued to reshape their roster Tuesday by claiming two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Adam Thielen off waivers.
Thielen was granted a split by the Minnesota Vikings on Monday so that he could play for a playoff contender in his final pro season. In Minnesota, he served in a limited capacity after helping fill in during Jordan Addison’s three-game suspension to start the season.
Thielen joins a Steelers offense in need of help in the receiving corps. Beyond DK Metcalf, no pass catcher has more than 300 yards this season
