The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up the preseason on Thursday with a road matchup against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. They won 19-10 and will officially transition into the final stage of training camp. The Steelers must reduce their roster from 90 players to finalize their 53-man roster by Tuesday, and every NFL team can place two players on injured reserve during roster cuts with a designation to return.
One injury to monitor is their first-round pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ DT was carted off the field
Pittsburgh Steelers, Derrick Harmon
Aug 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (99) watches the kickoff against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Derrick Harmon suffered an apparent knee injury during the second quarter after he was shoved to the ground by an opposing offensive lineman, and the first-round pick fell awkwardly on his right side. As a result, he was carted off the field and did not return for the remainder of the game. Harmon underwent tests to determine the severity of the injury.
Fans can exhale a sigh of relief.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie avoids major injury
Pittsburgh Steelers, Derrick Harmon
Aug 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (99) is introduced for a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
According to Ian Rapoport, Derrick Harmon avoided a season-ending injury but will miss some time. As Rapoport points out, the promising first-round pick sustained an MCL sprain and is expected to be sidelined for about a month. Harmon could return as early as Week 3 vs. the Patriots, though the Steelers could place him on injured reserve next Tuesday, which would sideline him for the first four games.
#Steelers first-round DT Derrick Harmon, who was ruled out with a knee injury last night, was diagnosed with an MCL sprain, sources say. He’s expected to be out about a month, which makes him a candidate to begin the year on IR.
But could have been worse. pic.twitter.com/JQ48XGeewq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 22, 2025
Fans react to the news
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Could have been way worse, thank god
— Sam (@Sam_____219) August 22, 2025
Prayers for Derrick 🙏🙏🙏
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) August 22, 2025
Still a tough loss by the Steelers
— Homer (@Homermetax) August 22, 2025
Phew… could’ve been a lot worse.
— Jakob Berger (@jj_bergss) August 22, 2025
Thankfully it’s only a sprain. Injuries suck
— NFL Draft Content – Scouting (@draftlives_here) August 22, 2025
as in out for a month starting now or from when the season starts?
— FraziersBurgh✝️ (@MinkahBurgh39) August 22, 2025
That wind in Pittsburgh is the entire Steelers fanbase breathing a sigh of relief.
— Trippy Dead (@TrippyDead2) August 22, 2025
Math on this saying he could be back by week 3? That’s great news.
— JM ⚫🟡 (@JoeyForest_) August 22, 2025
Could have been a lot better, why the hell was he playing in the 3rd preseason game?
— slide2play (@slide2play401) August 22, 2025
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