The Pittsburgh Steelers played in their final preseason game of 2025 on Thursday night as the team was able to beat the Carolina Panthers on the road. The offensive side of the ball had its struggles early on, but the defense for Pittsburgh looked good throughout the majority of the night. Fans were worried in the second quarter after rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon went down with a knee injury. The rookie had to be carted off of the sideline, and he did not have an encouraging look on his face as he was carted to the locker room.
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Steelers' Derrick Harmon warms up prior to a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers in 2025.
Harmon eventually returned to the sidelines late in the second half, except he was in street clothes. He was able to walk from the opposite side of the field, where the visiting locker room is located at Bank Of America Stadium in North Carolina. This was a good sign for fans, as whenever a player goes down with a knee injury, it is hard not to think the worst. The rookie went through testing in the locker room, and Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the media after the game and gave some clarity on the situation.
"Derrick Harmon's got a knee sprain of some description, he's being evaluated." Tomlin said.
A reporter then asked Tomlin if there was any concern that the injury could be more serious for Harmon, and the head coach doubled down on the injury only being a knee sprain. This is good news overall as there was no structural damage done, and the rookie should be back on the football field soon. It is unclear if he will be available for Week 1, but he has until September 7th to get healthy and back on the field. It doesn't seem there is any reason to be worried about the injury in the long term.
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Former Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
It seems as though the Steelers dodged a bullet. Harmon is going to be relied upon a ton throughout his rookie season, as he has already been penciled in as a starter, which is something that is a rarity for rookies in Pittsburgh at this point in the season. He is a good defender against the run, and he is also able to provide valuable pressure in passing situations. This will open things up for the rest of the defensive front, including the star outside linebackers.
Harmon being able to provide pressure in the middle of the defensive line is going to be something that is extremely valuable, especially with the new-look secondary in Pittsburgh. Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, and Jalen Ramsey are all excellent in man coverage, which will make opposing quarterbacks hold the ball for a little bit longer. Harmon's pressure up the gut could force quarterbacks into making mistakes, and it should create some sacks for the other players on the defensive line.
Thankfully, Harmon should be able to return to action soon. He should be in line to play during the season opener in Week 1 against the New York Jets.
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Steelers' Derrick Harmon (99) and Yahya Black (78) during rookie minicamp in 2025.
Steelers Saw Promising Production From Other Rookie Defensive Lineman
Yahya Black is another rookie who is expected to make an impact up front on defense. He has been turning heads throughout training camp, and he certainly looks like a player that should have been selected higher than the fifth round back in April. He has a special skill to consistently knock down passes at the line of scrimmage, and he was able to get to the quarterback on Thursday night. Black recorded a strip-sack in the game against the Panthers, and the defense was able to recover the fumble.
Black might not be a starter immediately, but he is going to be an important player for the defense. He will be a strong rotational piece, and should be vital in stopping the run.
What did you think about Tomlin's update on Harmon? Let us know in the comments below!
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