| Will Robinson has bounced around the NFL and he’s gone from being a bouncer two weeks ago to backup OL for the Saints. (US Presswire) |
After bouncing around the NFL with hardly any playing time since his rookie year in 2009, OL Will Robinson was working as a bouncer before the Saints called him last week.
Robinson was waived by the Jaguars at the end of the preseason, so he returned to his home in Los Angeles and began working from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. at a local bar.
“That comes with the territory for offensive linemen,” he said. “We’re always bouncing people.”
That life ended, at least temporarily, because New Orleans lost OT Zach Strief to a groin injury against Philadelphia and backup Charles Brown injured a knee against Oakland. Robinson, who was on the Saints’ roster last year but never played in a game, was the best available candidate to come in and be ready to play immediately.
He got that chance when right tackle No. 3, Bryce Harris, broke a leg in the first half against San Francisco. Four days after practicing for the first time, Harris played in only his second career NFL game and first since 2009, with the Redskins.
“There’s nothing like coming off the street and playing against one of the top three defenses in the NFL,” Robinson said. “But that’s a challenge you live for. You can’t beat that.”
He may not play at Atlanta. Strief is listed as questionable, but Robinson said Wednesday Strief was “good to go.”
Still, as one of only three active tackles on the roster, he will be a play from entering at any time.
“If they need me, I’m ready to go,” he said. “I’m just excited to be back in football.”
Even if his latest stint with the Saints ends soon, he's not dreading a return to life as a bouncer.
“People were generally pretty nice,” he said. “There were a few guys who needed a little roughing up.”
Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on Twitter @CBSSaints.