Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. Travis Register-Imagn Images

Steelers have major injury concern leaving preseason

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 8:12 AM ET

The No. 1 priority for NFL teams in the preseason is to get out of the games without major injury. The Pittsburgh Steelers may have failed with that one on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers.

Defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, the team's first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, had to be carted to the locker room with a knee injury while also looking visibly upset as he was taken back. The team announced almost immediately that he would be out for the remainder of the game with a knee injury.

#Steelers DT Derrick Harmon sustained a knee injury and is out for the rest of tonight's game.
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) August 22, 2025

Head coach Mike Tomlin provided an update after the game:

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin told reporters that first-round pick Derrick Harmon sprained his knee, and the injury still is being evaluated. https://t.co/yz9GxGobfg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 22, 2025

Defensive line was a top priority for the Steelers this offseason, especially after their playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens where they allowed nearly 300 rushing yards to end their season.

Along with Harmon, they also selected Iowa's Yahya Black in this year's class to help try to beef up their line.

Harmon is expected to play a major role in this year's defense and was already in a starting position. With star defensive lineman Cameron Heyward holding in as he tries to get a new contract from the team, that puts even more importance on Harmon's ability to make an impact.

He has had a strong training camp, and after a quiet first preseason game, he really took a big leap forward in the team's second game, recording a sack against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If Heyward returns, and if Harmon's injury is not serious, the Steelers would have the potential to have a really strong defensive line with those two joining rising star Keeanu Benton. Right now, though, those are a lot of "ifs," especially as it relates to the availability for Heyward and Harmon for the team's season opener.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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