The Pittsburgh Steelers’ top rookie won’t be off the field for too long.
Defensive lineman Derrick Harmon suffered a knee injury during the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night. He was carted off the field and was visibly emotional on the broadcast as he left the game.
Luckily for the Steelers, he has avoided a season-ending injury.
Harmon suffered a MCL sprain and will miss about a month of action, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
That month-long recovery time puts him in line to return either in Week 4 for the Steelers’ game against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland, or Week 6 at home against the Cleveland Browns following the bye.
#Steelers first-round DT Derrick Harmon, who was ruled out with a knee injury last night, was diagnosed with an MCL sprain, sources say. He’s expected to be out about a month, which makes him a candidate to begin the year on IR.
But could have been worse. pic.twitter.com/JQ48XGeewq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 22, 2025
Harmon was expected to be the Steelers’ lone rookie starter on defense this season.
Pittsburgh’s top rookie last season, offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3. The Steelers seem to have avoided that outcome for Harmon.
Steelers DE depth chart
Pittsburgh’s depth chart lists their defensive formation as a 3-4 base scheme under coordinator Teryl Austin. Harmon was expected to start at the DE spot this season but isn’t the only option on the roster at the moment.
Here’s how things look after their preseason finale in Carolina:
Derrick Harmon
Logan Lee
Kyler Baugh
Lee was a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and did not get a single snap of action during the regular season last year. Baugh is a rookie undrafted free agent.
Backup defensive tackles Isaiahh Loudermilk and Esezi Otomewo might end up rotating at the position to start the regular season with Harmon out.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers rookie Derrick Harmon avoids season-ending injury
