Derrick Harmon Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Steelers vs Bears game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Sep 21, 2025
Cleared to make NFL debut
Harmon (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Patriots.
ANALYSIS
After logging limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday, Harmon was upgraded to a full participant Friday and deemed questionable. The rookie first-round pick will shake off the injury designation and make his NFL debut in Week 3 after missing the first two games due to an MCL sprain he suffered in Pittsburgh's preseason finale. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said Harmon would be eased into the rotation, so expect limited snaps from the 6-foot-3, 313-pound defensive tackle.
Sep 19, 2025
Could play in Week 3
Harmon (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
After upgrading from limited practice Wednesday and Thursday to a full session Friday, Harmon appears to be trending toward making his NFL debut in Sunday's contest. If the 2025 first-round pick from Oregon can suit up Sunday, he will play limited snaps as he continues to get back into football shape, according to defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
Sep 9, 2025
Not playing Week 2 vs. Seattle
Head coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday that Harmon (knee) has been ruled out for the Steelers' Week 2 contest against the Seahawks on Sunday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Harmon is recovering from an MCL sprain that he suffered toward the tail end of training camp. The timeline for a return is 4-to-6 weeks, so the rookie first-rounder could be available to make his NFL regular-season debut Week 3 against the Patriots on Sunday, Sept. 21. Isaiahh Loudermilk started in the Steelers' Week 1 win over the Jets and will continue to serve that role for as long as Harmon is sidelined.
Sep 2, 2025
Out for Week 1
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Harmon (knee) will not play in Sunday's Week 1 game against the Jets, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Harmon suffered a sprained MCL on Aug. 21 during a preseason contest and was given a recovery timeline of four-to-six weeks, so his absence for Week 1 doesn't come as a surprise. Logan Lee and Isaiahh Loudermilk figures to see increased reps along Pittsburgh's defensive line.
Aug 22, 2025
MCL sprain confirmed
Harmon is expected to be out 4-6 weeks with an MCL sprain, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
ANALYSIS
Because Harmon picked up the injury during Pittsburgh's final preseason game at Carolina, there's optimism that he may only have to miss two or three regular season games. As a result, it's not anticipated that he'll be placed on the Steelers' injured reserve list. Once available, he projects to play a significant role on Pittsburgh's defensive line alongside Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton.
Aug 22, 2025
Expected to begin year on IR
Harmon (knee) is believed to have sustained an MCL sprain during Thursday's preseason win over the Panthers and is expected to start the regular season on IR, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Harmon will only have to miss the first four games of the regular season if Pittsburgh places him on IR with a return designation on the final cutdown day for the 53-man roster. The rookie first-round pick was carted off the field during Thursday's preseason win. Once fully recovered, Harmon will resume pushing for starting reps at defensive end opposite veteran Cameron Heyward, hopefully bolstering a pass rush unit led by T.J. Watt.
Aug 21, 2025
Dealing with sprained knee
Harmon suffered a sprained knee in Thursday's 19-10 preseason win over the Panthers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Harmon was forced to exit the game in the first half with a knee injury, which head coach Mike Tomlin clarified to be a sprain after the contest. The defensive lineman is still being evaluated according to Tomlin, but the early indications appear to be relatively positive. Harmon was able to return to the bench on his own in the second half, sitting next to veterans Cam Heyward and TJ Watt, looking no worse for the wear, per Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Aug 21, 2025
Carted off field
Harmon (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's preseason contest against the Panthers, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Harmon suffered a knee injury in the first half against Carolina, and he required a cart to get off the field. The 2025 first-round pick recorded one tackle before his departure, and the severity of his injury is currently unknown.
Apr 24, 2025
Pittsburgh adds big DL 21st overall
The Steelers selected Harmon in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 21st overall.
ANALYSIS
Harmon (6-foot-5, 313 pounds) could be the next in the long line of Pittsburgh's tradition of finding dominant defenders in the front seven, with the former Oregon and Michigan State star probably projecting as an end in Pittsburgh's three-man fronts. Harmon is a solid bet to play in a full-time role as a rookie, taking the end reps opposite Cameron Heyward. With a heavy frame and 4.95 speed at his disposal Harmon could be both a plus run defender and pass rusher.
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