Derrick Harmon, Nick Herbig injury updates: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin reveals status vs. Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin shared injury updates on defensive lineman Derrick Harmon and linebacker Nick Herbig. On Tuesday, Tomlin announced that Harmon has been ruled out and Herbig is questionable for the season opener against the New York Jets.

Derrick Harmon suffered a sprained MCL in the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. Nick Herbig has a strong chance of playing, as Tomlin said he had a good day of practice on Monday.

“I thought it was serious, but it wasn’t that serious,” Harmon said after suffering the injury last month, per NFL.com. “But (it’s) still something I’ve got to be in the training room to get rehab on. And that’s what I’m going to focus on right now, just attack the rehab to get back on the field.”

Harmon is listed as a starting defensive end for the Steelers, according to the latest depth chart. Last month, Steelers general manager Omar Khan talked about the possibility of the rookie from Oregon becoming a starter to begin the regular season.

More on Derrick Harmon and Nick Herbig

“Hope so. That’s what we’re at training camp to figure out,” Khan said on SiriusXM NFL radio when asked if Harmon’s going to be in the starting lineup this season (per Steelers Now). “But it’s trending positively, and I can’t say enough about his work ethic and how important this is for him. And he’s plugging away.”

Shortly after the Steelers selected Harmon in the first round (No. 21 overall) in this year’s draft, ESPN NFL analyst Seth Walder predicted Harmon to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. Pass rushing wins awards, and Harmon had the second-highest pressure rate at defensive tackle in the FBS last season,” Walder wrote. “He’ll also get less attention next to Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig.”

Herbig has been with the Steelers since the 2023 season. He played in 13 games with five starts last year and recorded 22 tackles, five tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Herbig is listed as the backup right outside linebacker, playing behind Alex Highsmith.