Steelers 53-Man Roster: Adrian Robinson Bears Watching

Injuries have a way of changing things. Just ask David DeCastro. The long-hoped-for savior of the interior line is out for at least eight weeks. Just ask Sean Spence. The exciting, versatile joystick of a linebacker is out for the season after his knee basically exploded this week against Carolina.

But wherever there is loss, there is opportunity. Just ask Adrian Robinson or Kelvin Beachum, two unheralded rookies out of Temple and SMU respectively who can now say something that a miniscule portion of the population can declare: They survived every cut to make an NFL team. While both of these young players will have the opportunity to contribute to the Steelers in positions of need, Robinson in particular may have a number of moments to step up. The Steelers are perilously thin at every linebacker position, and several supposedly healthy players such as the aging James Harrison and oft-injured Jason Worilds are one churning pile of players away from another severe injury. Watch Robinson closely.

Kevin Colbert and company also provided some surprising subtractions. Despite the injury to DeCastro, the Steelers parted ways with long-time reserve Trai Essex. Essex has been part of two successful Super Bowl runs and has started 28 career games since being drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2005 draft. The Steelers also parted ways with punter Jeremy Kapinos.

For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain.