Derrick Harmon injury: Steelers first-round pick carted off with knee sprain in preseason game vs. Panthers
The choice of first round of Pittsburgh Steelers, Derrick Harmon, was expelled from the field during Thursday’s pre-season match against the Carolina Panthers after having undergone a knee injury. Coach Mike Tomlin said after the 19-10 victory that Harmon had undergone a “knee sprain” and is being evaluated.
The Recruit defensive line player did not go back to the game, but was later shown on the Steelers bench in the second half and seemed in a good mood.
Harmon, the overall choice n ° 21 of the NFL 2025 draft, was obviously emotional with a towel draped above his head when he was initially taken to the locker room.
Harmon was listed as a defensive starting on the unofficial depth table of Pittsburgh. His injury is potentially important development before the list is reduced next Tuesday.
Harmon recorded a tackle against the panthers before the injury. In the second Steelers pre-season match against Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Harmon recorded three plated in total and a bag.
Harmon played his university football in Michigan State before transferring to Oregon in 2024. In Michigan State, he totaled 71 plated in three seasons and added 3.5 bags and seven plated for loss. In Oregon, he started the 14 games, winning the honors and the recognition of the second All-Big Ten team as an Associated Press Second Team All-American.
The last months have been emotionally trying for Harmon. His mother, a healthy Tiffany, underwent a stroke during his first year in the state of Michigan and suffered numerous brain surgeries. She was on life support when the Steelers drafted Harmon and deceased shortly after arriving at the hospital to share the news of her selection.
“Guy, how resilient she was,” said Harmon when she asked her how she inspired him. “Growing up, from my point of view, my situation, I grew up with her probably having seven, eight brain surgeries. And after all these brain surgeries, she has not abandoned. She has always taken me to train, has always gone to work. And I can always continue if I am hurting myself, whatever this?
