The Pittsburgh Steelers took on the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night for what would be the team's final preseason game before the 2025 season. One of the main goals of the game was to get through the contest healthy, and unfortunately that did not happen for the Steelers. Wide receiver Brandon Johnson went down with an injury, and rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon went down and had to be carted back to the locker room. Harmon did not seem too happy while sitting on the cart, and the look on his face was far from encouraging. He was ruled out from the game almost immediately.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (99) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Harmon is expected to be a major contributor for Pittsburgh's defense during the 2025 season, but now his status is up in the air after having to leave the game in Carolina. Pittsburgh selected him with the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it is tough to see him go down in the preseason finale. The specifics on the injury are not yet available.
I’m gonna be sick: An emotional Derrick Harmon being carted off the field. Please please don’t let it be serious. Ugh. pic.twitter.com/566Ll5CJid
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) August 21, 2025
The look on Harmon's face as he was being carted off did not seem to be too encouraging, but nothing can be assumed about the injury. Cam Heyward was by his side as he left the field, and fans should receive an update on exactly what happened after the game is over and media availability takes place.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Derrick Harmon (99) and Yahya Black (78) during rookie minicamp in 2025.
NFL Insider Adam Schefter was able to provide an update on the injury to Harmon, and it seems to be a knee injury, which is not the best news. The specifics of the injury to his knee remain unknown, but more details should be available once more testing is done. Hopefully it is nothing too serious, as Harmon was looking like he was going to have a special season.
Steelers first-round DT Derrick Harmon injured his knee tonight vs. Carolina and is out.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 22, 2025
Harmon had been turning heads throughout training camp and he has made some great plays during the preseason. The injury came during the second quarterback, which might frustrate some fans as there doesn't seem to be any reason to have a starter in the game while the second quarter is getting underway. This is especially true along the defensive line, which is an area Pittsburgh has questionable depth.
Perry Knotts / Associated Press
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected defensive lineman Derrick Harmon out of the University of Oregon with the 21st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Steelers Hoping For Good News Regarding Derrick Harmon
Pittsburgh is certainly hoping that the injury is nothing too serious for Harmon. He seemed like a player that could make an immediate impact, as he was a pro-ready prospect going into the draft. There was some concerns about his health coming out of college, but those concerns mainly had to do with his upper body, specifically his shoulder. Fans might want to try to correlate prior injury concerns with what happened on Thursday night, but the two situations are unrelated.
Harmon will likely go through tests to see if there is any structural damage to his knee. If there isn't, he might miss some practice time but hopefully he can make it on the field for the season opener in Week 1 against the New York Jets. He was already penciled in as a starter going into his rookie year, which is something that is rare to achieve in Pittsburgh.
If Harmon's injury is more serious, the organization might need to consider bringing in some more help on the defensive line. Fifth-round pick Yahya Black might also be relied upon more as a rookie, as he has had an impressive training camp in Latrobe and has stood out on tape from the preseason games.
Wishing for the best for Harmon.
#SteelerNation
