A big change is coming to the secondary for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they enter their Week 13 game against the Buffalo Bills.
With cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. being elevated from the practice squad and thus being in line to play for the first time as a member of the Steelers, Darius Slay Jr. was named among the team’s inactive players.
This marks the first time this season that Slay will serve a healthy inactive and marks the second contest overall he will miss for Pittsburgh.
sleaze steelers tenure
Coming off a 2024 campaign in which he started all 14 games for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, Slay agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million with Pittsburgh in free agency.
The 34-year-old, along with Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Echols, marked one of three notable additions at cornerback for the Steelers last offseason, as they completely revamped the position group next to Joey Porter Jr.
Slay started the first nine games of the year for Pittsburgh while constantly battling minor bumps and bruises. Even when healthy, he was not performing at a high level, and it became clear that the six-time Pro Bowler had lost a step.
After missing the Steelers’ Week 11 contest with the Cincinnati Bengals due to injury, Slay returned in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears and received only 20 defensive reps while James Pierre regained his starting spot.
What Pittsburgh’s secondary could look like vs. Buffalo.
With Slay not on the game day roster, the Steelers have four cornerbacks against the Bills.
Porter, who suffered a hip flexor injury vs. Chicago, is healthy and should resume his normal duties on the range this week.
The same can be said for Pierre, who has emerged as a key part of Pittsburgh’s defense over the past few weeks, while Echols will remain the Steelers’ top option in the slot.
Samuel, who hasn’t appeared in a game since Week 4 of the 2024 season and subsequently underwent spinal fusion surgery, will be eased into his first taste of action with the Steelers.
Jalen Ramsey, who was moved to the safety spot in Week 9 vs. the Indianapolis Colts, will remain at his position, while Kyle Dugger, who arrived at the trade deadline from the New England Patriots, will also remain as his partner on the field for the majority of the contest.
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