Derrick Harmon injury update: ‘Knee sprain of some description,’ Mike Tomlin’s statement on defensive tackle has Steelers Nation holding its breath

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was carted off the field Thursday night in the preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers after suffering a knee injury in the second quarter. The first-round pick had been projected as a Week 1 starter, making his status a critical storyline heading into the regular season.After the game, head coach Mike Tomlin addressed Harmon’s status. “Knee sprain of some description. He’s being evaluated,” Tomlin told reporters. When asked if it could be a ligament tear, Tomlin repeated that it was a knee sprain.According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, Harmon is expected to miss a few weeks but has avoided a season-ending injury. He will undergo an MRI on Friday to determine the severity of the sprain. That timetable puts his availability for the Sept. 8 opener against the New York Jets in doubt.The initial concern was serious when Harmon went down during a play that resulted in an interception by cornerback James Pierre. He was helped into the blue medical tent before leaving the field on a cart. Cameras later showed the 22-year-old on the sideline in street clothes, walking without assistance, which eased some fears.Harmon had impressed throughout the preseason and was penciled in as the Steelers’ starting left defensive end. Losing him, even for a few weeks, is a significant setback for a defensive unit that has dealt with early-career injuries to recent draft picks Troy Fautanu, Roman Wilson, and Calvin Austin III.If Harmon is sidelined to start the season, Pittsburgh could look to fifth-round rookie Yahya Black. Black recorded back-to-back sacks in the second half against Carolina, showing flashes of potential as a rotation option. The Steelers could also explore adding external help to bolster depth at defensive tackle.Harmon, who transferred to Oregon after three years at Michigan State, was selected 21st overall in April’s NFL Draft. At the NFL Combine, he measured 6-foot-4, 313 pounds, and ran a 4.95-second 40-yard dash, rare speed for his size. He capped his college career with 45 tackles and five sacks in 2023.