Darius Slay released: Steelers reportedly moving on from six-time Pro Bowl cornerback

After just 10 games, the Pittsburgh Steelers and veteran cornerback Darius Slay have mutually agreed to part ways, according to ESPN. The Steelers reportedly filled Slay’s spot with Asante Samuel Jr., who made his season debut in Pittsburgh’s Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

A six-time Pro Bowler, Slay was part of the Steelers’ revamped secondary that also included the acquisition of seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey. However, injuries and inconsistent performances ultimately led to Slay losing his starting job to James Pierre before Pittsburgh’s Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears. Slay was left out of the 26-7 loss to Buffalo last Sunday.

Slay’s release comes just weeks after Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that — once healthy — Slay would continue to stay in the starting lineup. Hours before releasing Slay, Tomlin said the fact that he was healthy last Sunday had less to do with Slay and more to do with his willingness to give Samuel (a former second-round pick who joined Pittsburgh’s practice squad last month) an opportunity to play.

As Slay begins the process of finding his next opportunity, the Steelers will once again have to make sudden adjustments to a secondary that has already been through a myriad of them over the first 12 weeks of the season.

Pittsburgh began the season with Slay, Ramsey and Joey Porter Jr. as starting cornerbacks and Juan Thornhill and DeShon Elliott as starting safeties. On Sunday, Pierre is expected to continue to start alongside Porter and Brandin Echols, who moved into the starting lineup after Ramsey was moved to safety following Thornhill’s release. Kyle Dugger, who was acquired via trade with the New England Patriots on October 31, replaced the injured Elliott at the starting safety position.

The Steelers’ pass defense — which is currently 28th in the NFL in passing yards allowed — will face another tough test Sunday against Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has also faced his share of struggles this season. Over his last four games, Jackson has completed well under 60 percent of his pass attempts with just one touchdown and three interceptions.