Rookie cornerback Donte Kent had his first season in the NFL cut short even before it got going.
Kent, who was drafted by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the 229th overall pick, suffered a foot injury in training camp and was placed on the Reserve/Injured List on Aug. 28.
Kent has his 21-day window to return to practice opened on Dec. 3, but after sustaining a knee injury in practice, he remained on the Reserve/Injured List the remainder of the season.
Kent appeared in 53 games for Central Michigan, starting 48 games, and finished with 235 career tackles, 171 of them solo stops. He had 47 passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, four and a half tackles for a loss, and one and a half sacks.
He also returned 16 punts for 217 yards, including a long of 68 yards, and one touchdown, all during the 2024 season.
Kent was named All-Mid-American Conference three times, including first team in 2022 and second team in 2023 and 2024.
