Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers could get a key reinforcement back for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots. Rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon declared on Wednesday that he’s ready to return after missing the first two games due to a knee injury suffered in the preseason finale.
“I’m ready to go,” Harmon said. “If my number is called, I’m ready to go.”
It’s been tough for the first-rounder out of Oregon to sit the first two games, but facing adversity is something that he’s used to.
It’s been tough,” Harmon said. “Your first year you want to be out there. First game, first few games not being out there to help the team, it hurts.
“I’ve been through a lot in my life, so emotionally I feel like I’m battle tested. Nothing too much can test me. Right now, by biggest focus is getting out there and helping this team win games.”
During his Tuesday press conference, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin tabbed Harmon as “questionable at best” for Sunday’s game.
“We’ll watch them throughout the week,” Tomlin said. “We’ll certainly gauge their participation and the quality of participation, and particularly the younger the player, the more significant that is. Harmon, obviously, would be stepping into his first regular-season action. And so there’s a higher standard in terms of his availability. I think that’s appropriate in terms of putting him in position to perform and to perform well.”
The Steelers once again got gashed on the ground in Sunday’s 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle rushed for 117 yards on 29 carries (4.0 average). Kenneth Walker III led the Seahawks with 105 yards rushing on 13 carries for a whopping 8.1 average and a touchdown.
It’s the second straight week that the Steelers have allowed over 100 yards rushing. The New York Jets racked up 182 yards (4.7 average) in Week 1.
Overall, the Steelers defense has left a lot to be desired in the first two weeks.
The Steelers have allowed 31+ points in the first two weeks of a season for the first time since 1989. Last year, the defense allowed 30 points twice all season.
Getting back Harmon should provide a big boost for the ailing defense.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Could Get Back Star Rookie vs. Patriots: ‘I’m Ready to Go’
