Steelers Receive Horrific Injury News On Defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered another road Thursday Night Football loss to the Cleveland Browns, 27-24, thanks to a game-winning field goal by kicker Andre Szmyt. Pittsburgh looked to be feeling the effects of the short week as the defense put on a very poor showing, with missed tackles all over the field. With the long weekend, the Steelers will look to bounce back in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts. 

In the loss to Cleveland, the Steelers suffered two major defensive losses when Derrick Harmon and Jamel Dean were injured and did not return. Dean has been battling an ankle injury since Week 1 and aggravated it while Harmon was carted to the locker room with a foot injury. The defense clearly missed both men as the Browns offense took to the fight to the weakened unit on the ground and through the air. 

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport recently reported via X that Pittsburgh will be without both Harmon and Dean for a couple of weeks. The insider said Injured Reserve (IR) could be an option for the defensive tackle, but the decision has not been made yet. 

"Steelers DT Derrick Harmon, who was carted off on Thursday night with a foot injury, is expected to miss a few weeks, source said," Rapoport wrote. "IR would be a consideration for Harmon, though it’s not definite. Either way, not a long-term injury."

Later, Rapoport reported that Dean could also be sidelined for a couple of weeks, which would make Pittsburgh's secondary even thinner. 

"The #Steelers also could be without CB Jamel Dean for a couple of weeks as he works his way back from an ankle injury."

Harmon is blossoming into a very solid piece on the defensive line. His pass rush has taken a big step forward since his rookie season. The trenches are deep on defense, but the loss is still a crushing one, and one that could stunt his development in year two. The Steelers traded Joey Porter Jr. and can no longer rely on him to play this season, making Dean's injury all the more devastating. 

Dean has taken heat recently for his injury struggles, especially as one of Pittsburgh's biggest offseason acquisitions. He's had injury problems in the past, and at 29, it's likely to continue. 

In the long run, it may be best for the team to rest Dean and let rookie Daylen Everette play while the competition is on the weaker side. The team's next three games are against the Colts, who sit at 1-2 (before Week 4), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers without Baker Mayfield, and the New Orleans Saints, who also sit at 1-2 entering Week 4. 

The Steelers selected Evertte in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and when he was called upon against the Browns, he did not look ready for NFL action. The rookie wasn't expected to see much action on defense, as he is a raw prospect with immense athletic talent. Barring a trade, he is the next man up on the outside, and with easier competition coming up, he could gain some valuable experience that could help him down the road. 

Steelers Have A Very Important Decision To Make

The last couple of seasons, fans have seen General Manager Omar Khan make trades near the NFL trade deadline. With Dean potentially out for a couple of weeks, he could once again make moves around the league. Khan and the front office will have to decide whether to let Evertte take the field or bring in a veteran from outside the organization and let the rookie stick to special teams and sheltered snaps on third downs. 

There likely won't be many trade options, since good cornerbacks are hard to come by. So Khan will have to dig deep if he wants to take that route; otherwise, they must let Everette take his growing pains and see what the rookie can do.