Steelers rookie guard Kevin Dotson can't contain enthusiasm in return from injury

It becomes apparent within moments of speaking to Kevin Dotson that the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie guard doesn’t lack energy.

So imagine unleashing Dotson onto an NFL practice field following a 10-day injury hiatus that stalled his first pro training camp? Then consider that practice session — only his second complete full-padded one in the as a pro — was a game-simulation, scrimmage setting.

“It kind of gets your heart bumping,” Dotson said of his Friday return to practice after a knee injury. “I think that helps me in most situations to get my adrenaline up. It makes me think faster, move faster, go a little harder.”

Dotson, by all indications, didn’t appear out of place during the scrimmage, and, according to the official pool report, had “a solid showing” Monday in his first traditional practice back.

A fourth-round pick, Dotson lost his first one-on-one rep that day but then “went on a long winning streak” in the drills against defensive linemen, where the Steelers are deep, talented and experienced.

“It has given me a lot of confidence because I feel like I can hold my own against them,” Dotson said. “That is quality competition, and if I can hold up against them, I can hold up against a lot of people.”

The Steelers believe they have a future starter in Dotson, who was a first-team All-American in 2019 by the AP, Pro Football Focus and other outlets. At 6-foot-4, 310 pounds and with strong football bloodlines (two uncles played in the NFL), Dotson might have went higher than the 135^th pick if he had played for a higher-profile program than Louisiana.

But even if Dotson proves he’s a future starter, barring something unforeseen, that won’t happen in 2020. It was a longshot to begin with because of the veteran depth at the position. Then came the knee injury during the second padded practice.

“Kevin Dotson and Dax Raymond appear to be more short term-related injuries,” #Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “Nothing of any significant, long-term concerns.”https://t.co/LJw1n931Sd

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) August 19, 2020

Initially, some observers feared the worst as team captain Ben Roethlisberger helped Dotson off the field.

“I feel like for me (the injury) was a wake-up call that it could be over quick,” Dotson said. “So I need to make my impact faster. I need to do what I can right now, because I’ll never know what could happen in the future.”

The five-plus practices Dotson missed are significant considering he did not have an opportunity to work during any rookie minicamp, organized team activities or preseason games because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s really hard for rookies,” veteran starting right guard David DeCastro said. “It’s a different game, learning the schemes, getting those reps. It is hard. It’s definitely an uphill battle.”

Dotson’s coach, while sympathetic to the plight, knows “the moving train” plows forward.

“I’m sure there’s an adjustment,” Mike Tomlin said of Dotson’s assimilation. “It’s probably more of an adjustment given the fact that he has very little resume to speak of. But such is life, things he has to deal with.”

Louisiana OG Kevin Dotson finding a way to get some work in during the quarantine. pic.twitter.com/d2qOYuabMy

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) April 1, 2020

Dotson also has to deal with a depth chart that includes perennial Pro Bowlers at right guard (DeCastro) and center (Maurkice Pouncey), a player handpicked to start at left guard (Matt Feiler) and a proven veteran “utility man” (Stefan Wisniewski).

Making his mark as a rookie will be difficult. But there is legitimate hope Dotson can provide an alternative in the future with Feiler is in the final year of his contract and DeCastro being 30.

Judging by how he said he spent his coronavirus-quarantined offseason, Dotson is not short on self-motivation.

“I knew that some people were going to be home just chilling, (and) I just knew that I can’t be one of those guys if you are going to be in the NFL,” Dotson said. “I kind of took that to heart and trained as hard as I could. Even when I didn’t have weights or something like that, I would do some type of prison-workout type of thing, doing pushups. I know people saw that video of me pushing cars. I was just trying to find any way to get better.”

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