Derrick Harmon, the first-round pick and rookie starter on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line, went down with a grade 3 knee injury. The injury happened in the team’s last preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Harmon attempted to spin outside of guard Brandon Walton when the injury occurred. Unlike what happened to Damar Hamlin, Harmon received an immediate evaluation on the field. Harmon was then carted off, which can be one of the scariest proceedings for any fan or teammate to witness.
Drafted 21st overall in April, Harmon soon made himself the heir apparent to longtime defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. His captivating athleticism, physicality, and overall versatility saw him garner knockout reviews all throughout the offseason. This strong performance was a major factor in his selection. Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl was a fan of Harmon’s during training camp. He added, “We feel like he’s had a great camp. His explosiveness, his length, his hands—he’s always working his hands. There are a number of reasons why we drafted him. What flashed on tape was his ability to disengage from blocks on offence and defence, his explosive get-off at the line of scrimmage, and his remarkable character.
Though the injury was alarming, Coach Mike Tomlin quelled some fears by reassuring the media that Harmon’s injury does not appear to be serious. In that spot, Meyer confirmed that Harmon did sprain his knee. There isn’t a worry of major ligament damage right away, but still… he gave us that guarantee. This news offers a glimmer of hope for both Harmon and the Steelers as they prepare for the upcoming season.
After sustaining the injury, Harmon managed to walk back onto the Steelers’ sideline and took a seat on the bench during the second half, demonstrating his determination to support his teammates despite his discomfort. Outside of that, this resilience reflects the pressure that comes with being a rookie starter in the NFL.
After flashing that potential during the preseason, Harmon finally broke through with his first sack of the regular season on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His impact on the field only raises the bar for what they’ll need from him moving forward. He’s continuing to recover from the knee sprain in a vigorous fashion. What’s even getting the attention of coaches and fans alike is how he’s performing throughout that stretch.
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