Under Mike Tomlin’s tutelage, the Steelers have had a habit of cultivating homegrown defensive talents. From Troy Polamalu and James Harrison to Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh’s strength has been tied to its defensive stars.
Tomlin and Co. thought they found another one in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Steelers selected Oregon DT Derrick Harmon in the first round, seemingly tipping the hulking beanstalk as the heir apparent to an aging Heyward in Pittsburgh’s front seven.
Harmon performed admirably in limited minutes throughout the preseason, but in the Steelers’ preseason finale vs. the Panthers on Thursday night, he was felled by what appeared at first glance to be a serious knee injury.
Here’s what you need to know.
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Derrick Harmon injury update
Harmon went down early in the second quarter, falling to the turf after attempting to tackle Carolina QB Jack Plummer. He was locked in a joust with Panthers RT Brandon Walton when he went down.
Derrick Harmon injury play.. doesn’t look too serious to me? Hoping for the best man we need that boy pic.twitter.com/Pisy00169t
— PROC (@procszn) August 22, 2025
Harmon writhed in pain on the ground as Steelers medical personnel attended to him on the field. He was soon escorted down the tunnel on a cart, fighting back tears.
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.coom/566Ll5CJid
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) August 21, 2025
The Steelers ruled Harmon out for the remainder of the game with a knee injury, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. A closer look at the incident appeared to show Harmon being twisted up as he descended upon Plummer.
View of DL Derrick Harmon’s injury. Looks like his knee twisted at end of the play. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/Gygc0fWFyN
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) August 22, 2025
The defensive tackle was expected to compete for a starting spot in Pittsburgh’s front four after the Steelers selected him with the No. 21 pick in the 2025 draft. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in his lone season with the Ducks, tallying 45 tackles (11 for loss), five sacks, four pass deflections and two forced fumbles in 14 starts in 2024.
Harmon was shown sitting on the bench next to TJ Watt and Cam Heyward. The game broadcast said that the rookie walked out onto the field, so the injury could be not as severe as initially thought.Â
Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Harmon sprained his knee. He also added that the rookie defensive tackle’s injury is still being evaluated.
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin told reporters that first-round pick Derrick Harmon sprained his knee, and the injury still is being evaluated. https://t.co/yz9GxGobfg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 22, 2025
Harmon has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL. He is expected to be sidelined a month, but could be back for the Steelers by Week 3 or Week 4 depending on how he progresses. If he hits IR, though, he will have to miss at least four games.Â
#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
This article will be updated.
