Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who landed on injured reserve in Week 6 and missed the remainder of the season, said he has been dealing with “stinger symptoms.” According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, stingers “are injuries that occur when nerves in the neck and shoulder are stretched or compressed after an impact” and can feel like “an electric shock or lightning bolt down the arm.”
“Just wanted to make sure for the long run I’ll be good, make sure my health overall is good,” Samuel said. “I wish I could have been out there with the team. It was killing me not to be out there with those guys. But I had to make sure my health was good.”
Samuel said he was “born with” this ailment. This season, the symptoms first flared up during practice in Week 1. He played four games after that first instance. The symptoms flared up again after a collision in practice before a Week 6 game at the Denver Broncos, according to Samuel. He said he has felt symptoms in both shoulders, but the left shoulder has been worse than the right one.