Derrick Harmon is back on the practice field, but the Pittsburgh Steelers still have a wait-and-see situation on their hands.
The rookie defensive tackle was limited Wednesday as he works through a foot injury, and that alone keeps Sunday’s game against Cincinnati out of reach for now. He remains on injured reserve, so getting in a practice session is only the first step. The Steelers have opened his 21-day practice window, which gives them time to evaluate him before deciding whether to activate him.
That matters because Pittsburgh could use help up front. The defensive line has already been stretched thin by injuries, and Harmon’s return to practice at least gives the team a chance to see how much he can handle. But there’s no reason to assume he’s ready to jump straight back into game action.
The Steelers also have a decision to monitor with DeShon Elliott, who was limited with an ankle injury after already missing time with a knee issue. His status may end up being the more pressing concern heading into the weekend.
Cincinnati can stress a secondary quickly, and Pittsburgh does not need another problem on the back end. Elliott’s limited work Wednesday doesn’t rule him out for Sunday, but Thursday’s practice should provide a better read.
There was better news elsewhere in the secondary. Brandin Echols and Doneiko Slaughter were full participants despite hamstring injuries, a welcome development after both sat out the Browns game. Ben Skowronek also logged a full practice while dealing with a calf injury.
Meanwhile, T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Darnell Washington were held out for rest.
Inside, Keeanu Benton and Heyward have been carrying the load, and Harmon’s eventual return would give defensive coordinator Patrick Graham another piece for the rotation against Cincinnati. Still, the Steelers are not in a position to rush him. If the foot isn’t ready, there’s no sense forcing it.
For now, Harmon’s comeback is moving forward - just not at a pace that guarantees he’ll be available Sunday.
In Other News...
Steelers Rookie Debate Comes Down To Who Stabilized The Offense
The Steelers midseason rookie discussion has centered less on splash plays and more on who has helped steady the operation through the first half of the season. In a staff vote that included candidates from both sides of the ball, the focus landed on impact, and that naturally put the offensive line into the conversation because of how much value the team places on stability up front.
Max Iheanachor emerged as the biggest factor in that evaluation, with his work at tackle drawing the strongest support from the staff. Germie Bernard and Robert Spears-Jennings also drew recognition for their contributions, giving the vote a broader feel than a simple offense-versus-defense argument, but the debate ultimately reflected how much the Steelers have leaned on rookies who have made the offense and defense more dependable. [Read more 🡒]
Zach Frazier Is Giving The Steelers A Real Building Block Up Front
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Fraziers rise has also put him in the conversation for the leagues Protector of the Year award, which says plenty about how quickly he has grown into the job. NFL Next Gen Stats has him down for only one sack allowed and four pressures, the kind of pass protection profile that can change how a team builds around its quarterback. For a Steelers offense still trying to define itself, having a young center already playing at that level is a significant building block up front. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Are Taking A Big Risk With Two Weak Spots
The Steelers went into the NFL trade deadline with obvious questions at two premium spots, and they came out without adding help. Despite a 6-2 start and plenty of chatter around the league, Pittsburgh stood pat on wide receiver and cornerback, choosing not to make a move even as the rosters depth concerns remained easy to spot.
That decision leaves the team leaning on injured receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson to get back in the mix, while also asking cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr., Jamel Dean, and Daylen Everette to keep holding up on the back end. If either group slips, the Steelers may find out quickly how thin the margin is when a contender decides not to patch its weakest spots. [Read more 🡒]