Derrick Harmon, Pittsburgh's first‑round pick, left the Steelers' final preseason clash with a right‑knee injury after contact with Carolina's Brandon Walton and was ruled out in the second quarter. The setback cuts into a rotation expected to lean on the rookie early in the season as he competes to replace Cameron Heyward on the defensive line.

The injury comes after Harmon flashed explosive potential in camp and logged a preseason sack against the Buccaneers, underscoring the dual threat he brings as a disruptor on both run and pass defense. Pittsburgh brass had praised his length, hands, and energy, framing him as a starter's floor with growth upside, making this setback a meaningful early hurdle for the unit.

Steelers executives and coaches stressed Harmon's strong camp and the plan to develop him within a depth chart that already features veterans and versatile linemen. The incident also offered a microcosm of the preseason—high expectations, a moment of setback, and the looming question of how the Steelers will navigate the opening weeks without their young cornerstone.

Carolina’s sequence featured Walton and Plummer, a reminder that the Panthers were testing both sides of the line as Harmon’s absence loomed. James Pierre intercepted Plummer in the end zone on a pressured throw, a moment that highlighted the competitive edge of the exhibition. The night illustrated the interplay of teams as Harmon's storyline took a tangible turn, shaping early season narratives for both clubs.

Harmon's preseason-ending injury for Pittsburgh reshapes the Steelers’ interior DL outlook. The rookie No. 21 pick from Oregon could miss meaningful time, forcing Keeanu Benton into bigger early-season reps beside Cameron Heyward as the unit absorbs the setback. Carolina’s Brandon Walton was the man who blocked Harmon on the play, with Jack Plummer rolling out for a highlight-reel moment before Harmon was carted off. Fantasy managers should watch the timeline closely as Benton’s role could surge and Heyward remains the steadying veteran.

Harmon’s absence would push Benton into an immediate starter-worthy role, elevating his IDP upside while compressing the Steelers’ depth at the position. The Panthers flashed pressure by design in the sequence, reminding fantasy players to monitor the matchup impact and potential shifts in Pittsburgh’s run defense and pass rush opportunities early in the season. In dynasty leagues, Benton could climb faster than expected if Harmon is sidelined, while Heyward’s leadership remains a constant anchor for the unit and the defense as a whole.