For the first time in 11 NFL seasons, Allen Robinson is on a team with a legit chance to win a Super Bowl. He's also a Detroit native, which makes it extra sweet for him in light of that awareness of Detroit Lions' history. As a Chicago Bear from 2018-2021, he also played against some inept Lions' teams.
"It’s been awesome, again, just to be a part of this culture. A culture that coach (Dan) Campbell has created, just coming in here and working each and every day, holding us accountable. As a vet, that’s something you really appreciate, that you don’t take for granted,” Robinson said, via Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News.
The Lions signed Robinson to their practice squad after he was one of the New York Giants' roster cuts. He was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Week 3, then signed to the 53-man roster.
Dan Campbell sees Allen Robinson eventually having a bigger role in the Lions' offense
Robinson has played just 46 snaps in five games so far this season (32 snaps in the two games of Jameson Williams' suspension), with one catch for two yards. The tangible results haven't been there, but when asked about the professionalism Robinson brings to the Lions' wide receiver room head coach Dan Campbell took the opportunity to heap praise on the veteran.
"He’s something else. He really is,” Campbell said. “He’s got the hunger of a rookie. It’s impressive. For a guy that’s played as much as he’s played and had skins on this wall and made a lot of money, had a ton of production, he’s ready to go. He’s ready to go at the drop of a hat. He can play any of the positions. Mentally, he knows them. You give him a rep and he’s all-out. He takes scout team reps. He’s as pro as a pro gets. So I have no problem with him going in the game at all, so he’s ready and something’s gonna come up here before this season’s over, and it’s gonna be critical that he’s gonna help us win. It’s gonna happen.”
Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand had a rare session with reporters on Friday. He was also asked about Robinson, and recalled a moment this past Wednesday (when the Lions had a walkthrough practice) with Robinson "just screaming, running, as fast as he can, just burning through these routes.”
"And I made the comment…I said, ‘I just love the way this guy practices,’” Engstrand said. “Because he knows where he’s at (on the depth chart). He’s the five right now, but he can sub in at any spot, he comes to work every single day like the vet that he is, leads by example, and it’s just been a blessing to have him. … It’s just been phenomenal with the level of professionalism that he’s shown.”
While awaiting an opportunity, Robinson is setting an example for his teammates and proving to be a perfect fit in the Lions' culture. Something else he told Bianchi is at the root of why he has the approach he does.
"I say it all the time, if you’ve been around the block and back in this league, the little things, day-to-day — winning and division wins and things like that, man, you really cherish those things and you don’t take them for granted, because you know on a year-to-year basis how hard those things are to come by.”