Who is Asante Samuel Jr. starting for against the Dolphins?

Asante Samuel Jr. is making his first start at cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Which Miami Dolphins player will Asante Samuel Jr. be defending?

Asante Samuel Jr. will primarily be tasked with defending Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.

What are the key challenges for Asante Samuel Jr. in his Steelers debut?

Samuel Jr. needs to prove his open-field tackling and excel in coverage against tough receivers like Jaylen Waddle.

Home / Sports / Samuel Jr.'s First Start: Can He Lock Down Dolphins?

Samuel Jr.'s First Start: Can He Lock Down Dolphins?

16 Dec

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Summary

Asante Samuel Jr. makes first start at cornerback for Steelers.
He faces tough assignments against Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle.
Samuel Jr. aims to prove his tackling and coverage skills.

Samuel Jr.'s First Start: Can He Lock Down Dolphins?

The Pittsburgh Steelers face the Miami Dolphins with several players making their initial starts for the team. On defense, cornerback James Pierre is sidelined with a calf injury, paving the way for Asante Samuel Jr. to step into a starting role. This opportunity is critical for Samuel Jr., who aims to re-establish himself after a year of recovery from spinal fusion surgery and prove his worth for the remainder of the season and beyond.

Samuel Jr.'s immediate challenge involves containing the Miami Dolphins' potent offense, particularly wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. While he has faced criticism for missed tackles in the past, his recent performance with the Steelers has shown improvement. His ability to excel in coverage and make crucial tackles will be closely watched as he defends against Waddle and the Dolphins' passing game.

This Week 15 matchup presents a golden opportunity for Asante Samuel Jr. to solidify his position in the Steelers' secondary. His coverage skills and physical play align with the team's defensive philosophy. A strong showing against Miami could secure his starting role for the future, providing much-needed stability for the defense as the season progresses.