Derrick Harmon’s knee injury in the Steelers’ final preseason game casts a cloud over Pittsburgh’s defensive line depth, especially as the club opened a two-week window to its Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets. Harmon, Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in 2025, left the field on a cart after pressuring Panthers reserve QB Jack Plummer and getting tangled with an OL. No update has been released beyond ESPN’s Adam Schefter’s note that he’s out. Harmon’s path to the NFL began at Michigan State before blossoming at Oregon, where he totaled 45 tackles (27 solo), five sacks and two forced fumbles in his senior year, earning him a high-draft selection. The Steelers now face uncertainty about interior disruption and rotational expectations as they head toward the regular season.

Harmon’s Oregon standout season and Michigan State origins underscore the dual narrative around his pedigree and opportunity. The injury timing matters for the Steelers’ immediate plans, as the roster must replace or absorb a disruptive interior presence behind veterans. Carolina’s offense—the Panthers—present a test early in the schedule, especially with Plummer under center; the health of Harmon will influence how Pittsburgh allocates reps among defensive linemen and run-stoppers. With the Jets looming in Week 1, fantasy managers will watch for any clarity on whether Pittsburgh shifts more snaps to reserve DLs or tight-end-stopping fronts, while continue to gauge how long Harmon’s recovery might take.

In fantasy and betting terms, this development injects a measurable risk into the Steelers’ front-seven projections and could elevate the value of otherDLs on the Pittsburgh depth chart if Harmon is sidelined. Until further word arrives, coordinators will lean on veteran linemen and a developing rotation, making Week 1 a pivotal test for depth players and the Steelers’ ability to sustain pressure without their first-round rookie at the heart of the rotation.