Steelers rookie DB Donte Kent made an early splash at coaching camp, however an damage now has him falling considerably behind. As a seventh-round decide, he at all times confronted a tricky path towards a roster spot. Now set to overlook the primary preseason recreation, and presumably extra, he can solely watch and wait.
Going again to June, the Steelers expressed clear enthusiasm for Kent and his potential to contribute.
“We anticipate him to contribute prior to later,” GM Omar Khan stated, which is atypical for a late-round decide.
Though Khan may have been referring to particular groups, together with Kent’s return potential, it nonetheless confirmed heightened expectations. It’s not like they had been saying that about Logan Lee final yr. I went again and checked out all of our Lee articles from final yr to make sure.
Since drafting Kent, the Steelers have solely deepened the cornerback room. The highest of the room is very stacked, headed by Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay and now Jalen Ramsey. Brandin Echols seems the subsequent man in line. Cory Trice Jr.’s damage locations him in a weak place, although, and Beanie Bishop Jr. and James Pierre can’t take into account their jobs safe, both.
So whereas his damage makes his highway troublesome, it’s not an unimaginable one for Kent if he can return shortly. I’ve seen him spending an excellent period of time subsequent to HC Mike Tomlin whereas injured. He’s additionally already shed a strolling boot, an encouraging register his restoration.
Nonetheless, simply two preseason video games to earn a job for an end-of-the-roster man is a serious problem — however not unimaginable. In 2020, Pierre made the Steelers’ 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie, and so they didn’t also have a preseason. In fact, the NFL does have a preseason this yr. Donte Kent simply isn’t contributing proper now as a result of damage, whereas most of his opponents are.
The truth that the Steelers appear content material to depart WR Calvin Austin III on punt returns is one other complication for Donte Kent. He has one season of school expertise as a returner, however solely on punts. Pittsburgh has a job opening for kick returns, however he hasn’t been in that line.
In fact, there’s nothing Kent can do about his damage, past specializing in rehabbing. It seems to be a comparatively minor one, however he’s but to return to apply and it’s unclear when he’ll achieve this. Every day he misses pushes him additional and additional off the roster bubble, and finally, it should burst.
Offered Kent isn’t claimed off waivers, the Steelers would possible reserve a apply squad spot for him. In the event that they do waive him, it should mark the primary rookie draft decide they’ve waived since Khan took over as GM for the 2023 NFL Draft.
