Derrick Harmon outlines what lies ahead before his return to the Steelers defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers were excited about 1st Round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft Derrick Harmon, and they were hoping he would be able to step in and be a starter for the defensive line.

That plan looked to be in place until the Week 3 Preseason game where Harmon left the game with a knee injury. The initial reaction was not good, but it turned out to be a sprained MCL. The injury update and diagnosis was better than originally thought, but it didn’t decrease the concern for Harmon on the play where it happened.

“Yeah, I just got hit on the knee on a play before,” said Harmon. “Played through it the next play. I felt it. Just wanted to get it checked out.

“I didn’t know what it was at the time. That’s why I was so in that mood, in that head space. So pretty much it.”

As Harmon left the blue tent and was carted off, images showed the visible concern on his face.

“I thought it was serious, but it wasn’t that serious,” said Harmon. “But still something I’ve got to be in the training room to get my rehab. That’s my focus right now, to attack rehab and do what I have to do to get back on the field.”

The early timeline is Harmon could be back to the team around four weeks, but it could be longer. A lot depends on how Harmon responds to the rehabilitation, and if he can remain prepared both physically and mentally for his eventual return to the team.

“Really just don’t get too much in my head,” said Harmon. “Injury is part of this game and at this level is part of what we do. So, they were trying to keep my hopes up and keep me mentally prepared and mentally focused.

“Once I got next to my teammates, they cheered me up. They told me get out of my head. That’s what they really told me. So, that’s why I was laughing like that. It just put it in good spirits, telling me you’re going to be all right.

“Definitely frustrated. Last preseason game and really excited to get out there in the regular season and compete at a high level. It sucks, but it’s part of the game we play, so just got to attack this rehab.”

As stated earlier, a big part of Harmon’s development will be on the mental side of things. And Harmon knows exactly what he’ll have to do to stay mentally sharp before his return.

“Stay in the playbook, staying up to game speed,” said Harmon. “Knowing what I got to do even though I’m not going to probably be out there, but still be up to game speed and know what I’ve got to. Take it week-by-week and to the best of my ability attack this rehab.”

There are some who believe Harmon could return for the Week 1 game at MetLife Stadium vs. the New York Jets, but there are a lot of hurdles Harmon will have to clear before that becomes a tangible goal for the upcoming season. In the meantime, the team will have to try and fill the gap left by Harmon’s injury for as long as the former Orgon Duck will be out of the lineup.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Jets in Week 1 of the 2025 regular season.