Total Pro Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was carted off the field in Thursday’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers with an apparent knee injury.
The Steelers decided to field a handful of key players, including Derrick Harmon, to begin their final preseason game in Carolina. Unfortunately, Mike Tomlin’s risk to give Harmon a few more snaps before his NFL debut may have backfired.
Pittsburgh’s 2025 first-round pick had to be carted off the field midway through the second quarter of tonight’s game. Harmon was visibly emotional as he was taken away, an unfortunate indicator that he fears it could be a serious injury:
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.com/566Ll5CJid
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) August 21, 2025
ESPN’s Adam Schefter later reported that Derrick Harmon suffered a knee injury and would not return.
Steelers first-round DT Derrick Harmon injured his knee tonight vs. Carolina and is out.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 22, 2025
Injuries in preseason and practice happen all the time, but it feels like there have been more than usual this year with rookies. The Baltimore Ravens lost first-year cornerback Bilhal Kone for the season after he suffered a gruesome knee injury in the first preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.
On top of that, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders missed the second preseason game after suffering an oblique injury in practice.
The Steelers loaded up for a Super Bowl run, bringing in three big-named superstars in quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver DK Metcalf and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Wanting to bolster his front seven, GM Omar Khan decided to use his first-round selection of Harmon (21st overall).
If Harmon is out long term (or for the entire season), the Steelers’ pass rushing depth takes a big hit. Here’s hoping he avoided a serious injury and will be back on the field soon.
