Chargers' HC Jim Harbaugh throws cold water on an Asante Samuel Jr. return

Chargers' cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and running back Gus Edwards were both placed on IR ahead of the team's matchup against the Denver Broncos in Week 6. They were both eligible to return against the Titans in Week 10. Edwards was immediately activated off of IR. Samuel, who went on the IR with a shoulder injury, was not.

Chargers' beat reporters have asked every week about a potential Samuel return to the active roster since. Three weeks after ASJ was eligible to return, the questions still lingered. Wednesday, Harbaugh was again asked if he expected Samuel to practice this week:

"No. I don't expect him back this week."

A follow-up was then asked about whether or not the Chargers HC expects the fourth-year corner back this season:

"I don't know that."

Daniel Popper of The Athletic then asked Harbaugh directly if Samuel Jr.'s stint on IR is "purely medical". Harbaugh's response was even more secretive:

"It's just something you should talk to Asante about. It's his medical condition. I'm not in a place to talk about it."

Jim Harbaugh throws cold water on an Asante Samuel Jr. return for the Chargers

Samuel began the 2024 season as one of the team's starting outside corners alongside Kristian Fulton. Since Samuel's stint on IR began, rookies Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart have both played significant boundary corner snaps in his absence.

Eli Apple was also recently signed to the active 53-man roster. With Hart now injured, Samuel's return would in theory provide some depth.

After having two consecutive games with a 50% missed tackle rate vs. Carolina and Pittsburgh, DC Jesse Minter spoke about some of Samuel's deficiencies back in September. His tackling was specifically noted:

"I think he's been really good in coverage at times," Minter said. "There's a couple missed tackles that we got to get corrected. And he knows that."

"When you miss a tackle it's something to do with your angle or body position or where your eyes go," Minter further explained. "All those things, continue to chase those details. He does it, he does it in practice. He's made a huge focus on it."

Samuel's final game prior to being placed on IR after the teams' BYE was in Week 4 vs. the Chiefs. The Chargers are now almost two full months removed from his last practice or game.

Considering the Chargers' rash of injuries in the secondary, Samuel's presence if he were healthy would be a positive. But the lack of information on a return in addition to Harbaugh's tone on the matter makes it seem like it's unlikely to happen soon.

With Cam Hart potentially not playing for the CB room on Sunday, the Chargers will look to bounce back with a win on Sunday vs. Atlanta.