Steelers Now
UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers rookie cornerback Donte Kent has a walking boot on his right foot/ankle. Kent did not practice on Saturday.
It’s unclear how Kent suffered the injury, but Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will provide an injury report after practice.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan revealed this offseason that the team has high expectations for the seventh-rounder out of Central Michigan. They expect Kent to make an impact right from the get-go.
“Donte [Kent], we spent a significant amount of time studying his film, looking at his production — not only on the defensive side, but also on special teams,” Khan said. “And the more we watched him, the more excited we got about him. Solid character. Again, another guy who’s got a really good opportunity, and we expect him to contribute sooner rather than later.”
The Steelers selected Kent with their second pick in the seventh round, No. 229 overall, in the 2025 NFL Draft. A four-year starter at Central Michigan and three-time All-MAC honoree, Kent brings intrigue as a developmental prospect with notable athletic traits.
“I just have a dawg mentality,” Kent said about his ball-hawk traits. “That ball is my ball. My mindset is I’m going to go make a play on the football every pass thrown my way.”
Kent’s brother, Desmond, played at Robert Morris, while his other brother, Ronald, is in the Canadian Football League on the British Columbia Lions. Kent, who’s the youngest child on his mom’s side, credits his brothers for making him tougher.
“I’m the baby on my mom’s side. I have three older brothers. In my opinion, they all could play professional football. It just ain’t work out that way for everybody. It’s been a competitive household whether we’re playing Madden, playing football out on the street, wrestling in the house. Whatever we’re doing, it’s always been competitive. And me being the baby, they always picked on me a little bit. Nothing crazy but they picked on me. That built the toughness that I have right now and the competitive nature that I have, as well. All credit to my brothers.”
Dallas Cowboys All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons believes his former teammate at Harrisburg High School will turn heads this season with the Steelers. Parsons and Kent have been working out together this offseason.
“Everyone always knew Lil Kent [Donte Kent],” Parsons told Nick Farabaugh of PennLive at his youth camp at Harrisburg High School on Tuesday. “He was always ferocious, bro… He’s going to be really ready. I am excited to see where he is at and I kind of gave him some tips. Especially as a seventh-rounder. He’s got a lot to prove, but I think his hunger, his drive, is going to show why he’s going to make that roster.”
Parsons thinks Kent is in good hands with Tomlin in Pittsburgh. Parsons has been on record that Tomlin is one of his favorite coaches in the NFL.
“Tomlin’s one of my favorite people in...
