Steelers' Derrick Harmon Has Knee Sprain After Being Carted Off with Injury

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was ruled out of the team's 19-10 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday after he was carted off the field with a knee injury.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed that Harmon suffered a knee sprain and was undergoing further evaluation after the game, per Teresa Varley of the team's official website.

Harmon appeared to suffer the injury on a play in which Pittsburgh cornerback James Pierre picked off Panthers quarterback Jack Plummer in the second quarter.

After the play was over, he walked to the sideline and went into the blue medical tent before later getting onto the cart to leave the field (h/t Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com).

Harmon recorded one tackle prior to his departure.

The exact severity of the injury is unknown, but it'll be a tough blow to Pittsburgh's defensive line if the 22-year-old is forced to miss an extended period of time. The Steelers selected Harmon in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, adding him with the No. 21 overall pick.

He's coming off an impressive junior season at Oregon in which he racked up 45 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles.

Harmon appeared to be making an early impact in training camp, earning praise from Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl.

"He's had a really good camp," Weidl said, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. "His explosiveness. His length. His hands — he's always working his hands. Ability to escape blocks in both phases. The energy comes off the ball with. The explosiveness."

If Harmon misses regular-season action, Daniel Ekuale and Yahya Black are candidates to receive extended playing time in his absence.