PITTSBURGH -- Help is on the way for the banged-up Pittsburgh Steelers ' secondary.

The Steelers are signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr . to the team's practice squad, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

An ESPN top-25 overall free agent in March, Samuel underwent spinal-fusion surgery in April, delaying his signing. Though Samuel is joining the practice squad, he could fill a major need with injuries piling up in the secondary.

Cornerback Darius Slay is in the concussion protocol after an incidental helmet-to-helmet hit with teammate Kyle Dugger on Sunday. Jalen Ramsey , once the team's starting slot corner, has spent the bulk of the past two games at free safety after injuries decimated that group.

Before Samuel's anticipated addition, the Steelers had just three healthy f

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