Tuesday’s Pittsburgh Steelers training-camp practice was not unlike the 13 that preceded it over the past three weeks. Kenny Robinson was getting plenty of reps — and he was doing plenty of talking.
A safety from Wilkinsburg who played in college at West Virginia, Robinson has at times been atop (or near it) a given day’s depth chart at safety during this camp because several Steelers safeties have been afflicted by injury. And, even as the “starters” at the position have been trickling back in, Robinson remains noticeable on Chuck Noll Field at Saint Vincent College — in no small part because of his talking.
“Just competing,” Robinson said as he smiled. “I like to compete and bring the best out of all the guys. Just out there trying to bring my teammates along with you. As much as I am out there, I had to bring some type of energy and try to be some type of leader on the defense.”
Robinson was a staple of the first team for a span of two weeks during which Minkah Fitzpatrick (personal), Damontae Kazee (ankle) and Keanu Neal (undisclosed) were absent. Reserve Tre Norwood (calf) has missed plenty of time, too.
Robinson started and played 45% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps during their preseason opener at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday, too.
“Just trying to take advantage of all my opportunities,” said Robinson, who signed a reserve/future deal January. “Just trying to fill in and show these coaches that I am more of an asset than a liability, that I can help make the team better.”
Robinson, who played high school ball at Central Catholic, University Prep and Imani Christian, has 19 regular-season games of NFL experience with the Indianapolis Colts. They made him a fifth-round draft pick in 2020, but he spent most of last season on their practice squad.
If Robinson is to make the Steelers’ active roster, he will have to show he can be relied upon on special teams and also be versatile enough to prove a good backup to Fitzpatrick, Kazee and Neal at both/any safety spots.
Robinson has known Steelers coach Mike Tomlin since his high school days, in part because he played seven-on-seven ball with Tomlin’s sons. Tomlin, though, is never a fan of mental lapses, so, when Robinson got flagged for taunting during a practice this month, it surely did not help his cause to make the team.
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“I had honestly forgot the refs were even out there,” Robinson said. “Just a quick, quick flag. He was called it because I was pointing at him, but it’s OK.”
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said this week he “immediately” discussed the incident with Robinson.
“The kid is a good listener, he wants to be a really good football player,” Austin said. “The things that we have to get out of his game, he’s really worked hard to get them out.”
Robinson’s voice carries, and he isn’t afraid to call out receivers after plays in which he gets the best of them – often, using colorful and sometimes biting verbiage.
But don’t mistake that for a lack of respect, he says. Robinson is on the roster of his hometown team, and he couldn’t be happier.
“I feel real good about it,” Robinson said. “I just fit in right with the rest of the guys, hard-nosed team, tough players, physical. I just like every aspect. Growing up watching it my whole life, this is just one of those great opportunities.”
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Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris by email at cadamski@triblive.com or via Twitter .