Asante Samuel Jr., one of many high free agent cornerbacks of this yr’s class, is ready to signal with a brand new staff after present process neck surgical procedure in April, sources instructed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Samuel, who visited the New Orleans Saints on Monday, has a check-up in early July, after which he’ll convene with a number of groups.
He plans to return to the sphere for the 2025 season.
Samuel had been the Los Angeles Chargers‘ high nook heading into 2024, however his season ended forward of their Week 6 recreation in opposition to the Denver Broncos when he landed on injured reserve due to a shoulder harm. His 4 video games for the Chargers final season have been the fewest he has performed in his profession.
On the finish of the season, Samuel described the harm as a stinger in each shoulders but in addition a situation he has been coping with since he was born. He declined to enter specifics however mentioned he wasn’t involved that it could have an effect on his profession shifting ahead.
Samuel, 25, has elite ball expertise and nice instincts in protection. Within the Chargers’ 2022 playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he intercepted quarterback Trevor Lawrence 3 times within the first half.
Samuel’s largest flaw is tackling, typically taking poor angles on ball carriers and permitting extra yards after the catch than anticipated.
A second-round decide in 2021 out of Florida State, Samuel has 176 tackles and 6 interceptions in 50 profession video games (47 begins).
ESPN’s Kris Rhim contributed to this report.
