Steelers Now
CHARLOTTE — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed after Thursday night’s 19-10 win over the Carolina Panthers that rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon sustained a “knee sprain of some description” and is being evaluated.
Given that is just a knee sprain of some description, it appears that Harmon dodged a serious injury.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Harmon will have an MRI on Friday in Pittsburgh. Dulac added that Harmon’s injury is not season-ending but he is expected to be out at least a couple weeks.
Harmon was smiling and laughing on the bench with Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt in the fourth quarter. Harmon was able to walk to the sideline on his own.
Harmon was carted off the field after a trip into the blue tent during the second quarter of the team’s preseason game against the Panthers.
Harmon was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Tomlin said wide receiver Brandon Johnson is being evaluated for a foot injury.
Harmon was checked for the injury after the Steelers’ defense forced Jack Plummer into an interception, thwarting a 9-play, 38-yard march. On that play, Harmon powered through a block by Panthers rookie guard Luke Kandra, then was met by offensive tackle Brandon Walton, who dumped Harmon onto the ground in what looked to be a twisting fashion. Plummer threw an ill-advised pass James Pierre’s way in the end zone.
Harmon figures to see major playing time on the defensive line beside veteran Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton. Logan Lee sits behind Harmon on the depth chart, but isn’t a lock for a roster spot. After Christian Kuntz was hurt, Lee also served as the Steelers’ long snapper in its preseason game against Tampa Bay on Saturday.
During that same game, Harmon bull rushed Buccaneers guard Ben Bredeson for his first NFL sack.
“Really just playing within the defense, trying to do my best to help the team out to the best of my ability,” Harmon said when asked about the effort afterward.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin lauded Harmon for his performance.
“I thought several players took a step forward. Two young guys in particular, I thought Harmon and Kaleb Johnson really took a step forward off their first performance,” Tomlin said. “But again, that’s a reasonable thing to expect. Second time stepping into a stadium, you see more of their talents. I think we talked about that a couple days ago in participation of the game.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Charlotte.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Get Good News on Derrick Harmon’s Injury
