Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Derrick Harmon is still awaiting his NFL regular-season debut. On Thursday, the defensive lineman and Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick continued to make his way back from an MCL sprain suffered in the team’s final preseason clash.
Harmon worked through practice drills at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex with a sleeve and brace on his right leg. If Harmon does get back on the field for the Steelers’ Week 3 matchup with the New England Patriots on Sunday, he won’t be overworked.
“We’ll see where he ends up at the end of the week, but I think, if it does come to it, we’ll be pretty judicious with his snaps and try to work him back,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “More importantly, he’s probably gonna lack some football conditioning, football shape, so you don’t wanna throw a guy in there that’s really not quite ready. … I like the progress that he’s making and we’re just kinda seeing where we end up at the end of the week.”
Veteran defensive lineman Cam Heyward also discussed what Harmon will add when he gets back in the fold.
“Another capable body that is similar to (an Isaiahh) Loudermilk build where one of those three, four ends that can set the line of scrimmage, plays with their hands,” Heyward said. “I love the way he is just heavy-handed in the run game, and I think he brings a youthfulness to the group.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Sights & Sounds: Derrick Harmon Making Way Back
