The Pittsburgh Steelers had several notable injuries during the team’s preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. None bigger than first-round rookie DL Derrick Harmon, who left in the first half with a knee injury. Carted off and emotional in what appeared to be a serious injury, Mike Tomlin offered good news post-game.
“Derrick Harmon has got a knee sprain of some description,” Tomlin said via the team website. “He’s being evaluated.”
Tomlin was then asked if the injury was considered serious or severe.
“He’s got a knee sprain,” Tomlin said, seemingly downplaying the injury as significant.
Harmon twisted his knee on CB James Pierre’s interception. He walked off the field to the sideline before exiting on a cart to the locker room, a towel draped over his head and the team immediately ruled him out for the remainder of the game.
At halftime, Mike Tomlin had no update and told Steelers.com’s Missi Matthews Harmon was still being evaluated. The first piece of good news came in the fourth quarter when Harmon was spotted back on the bench, smiling between DL Cam Heyward and EDGE T.J. Watt. Matthews report was even more positive.
“He’s out here now on the sideline, sitting on the bench in between Cam Heyward & TJ Watt,” she said from the sidelines. “The Steelers’ locker room is on the opposite side of this sideline. He was able to walk out here in street clothes. So we’re gonna take that as a good update.”
Full quote from Missi.
"He's out here now on the sideline, sitting on the bench in between Cam Heyward & TJ Watt. The Steelers' locker room is on the opposite side of this sideline. He was able to walk out here in street clothes. So we're gonna take that as a good update." https://t.co/nVXvdzkJep
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) August 22, 2025
Harmon finished the game with one tackle before exiting.
Elsewhere, Tomlin noted WR Brandon Johnson suffered a foot injury and like Harmon, is also being evaluated. Coming off a strong camp with a nose for the end zone, Johnson was battling for the final receiver spot on the 53-man roster or a practice squad spot.
Tomlin noted there were other “bumps and bruises” from the game but did not mention anyone else by name.
Pittsburgh’s next game is the regular season opener on Sunday, September 7th against the New York Jets. The team will release its first injury report the Wednesday before kickoff.
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