PITTSBURGH -- Seven months after undergoing spinal fusion surgery to correct a life-long condition that affected his neck and shoulders, new Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr . said he feels "the healthiest" he's "ever been" after his first football practice in more than a year.

"I feel great," he said Wednesday. "It's the healthiest I've ever been, been dealing with it and I got it fixed, so now I feel good."

Ranked as ESPN's No. 14 overall free agent prior to free agency, Samuel signed to the Steelers' practice squad Tuesday afternoon and joined his new team Wednesday morning.

"I'm glad I ended up here," Samuel said after practice, adding that he's taking it "day-by-day" when asked about a possible elevation to the 53-man roster. "I'm glad everything worked out to be here and I

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