Pittsburgh Steelers seventh-round draft pick Donte Kent spent his entire rookie season on the Reserve/Injured List after multiple injuries. He showed early promise with an interception in training camp but suffered a foot injury and later tore his ACL. His future with the team remains uncertain amid roster changes.
Donte Kent, a rookie cornerback selected in the seventh round, had limited opportunities during the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He displayed positive signs in the offseason and intercepted a pass early in training camp, drawing attention. Soon after, a foot injury sidelined him, requiring a walking boot for several days. By the end of the first week in August, he had removed the boot and appeared to be recovering by the close of training camp. Despite this, the Steelers placed him on injured reserve (IR). Recent changes to IR rules have made it easier to accommodate short-term injuries, though the extent of Kent's initial injury remains unclear. One perspective suggests the team may have been preserving him for later, though this technically risks violating rules. In-season, the Steelers opened his practice window amid other injuries, including those to Cory Trice Jr., who reinjured himself upon return. Kent also suffered a setback, later revealed as a torn ACL. The Steelers have bolstered their secondary in free agency by signing Jamel Dean, Jaquan Brisker, and Darnell Savage. At cornerback, the depth chart includes Joey Porter Jr., Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Brandin Echols, and Trice upon return, along with D’Shawn Jamison and potential draft additions. Kent faces a challenging path to make the 53-man roster in 2026 if healthy. This exit meeting analysis comes as the Steelers reflect on another early playoff exit and Mike Tomlin's resignation.