Steelers Defense Faces Another Test Without Rookie Standout Derrick Harmon
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Steelers will once again be without rookie linebacker Derrick Harmon this week, as the first-round pick continues to recover from a knee injury that sidelined him in Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that Harmon is officially out for the second straight game, and his absence couldn’t come at a tougher time. The Steelers are gearing up to face Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and a Ravens offense that thrives on pounding the rock - and Pittsburgh’s run defense is already reeling.
Harmon, selected 21st overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, had been carving out a solid role in his debut season. Through nine games (five starts), he’s logged 22 combined tackles, two sacks, a fumble recovery, and a pass deflection - not eye-popping numbers, but enough to show flashes of why Pittsburgh invested a first-round pick in him. His blend of speed and physicality has been especially valuable against the run.
Without him on the field, the Steelers struggled mightily to contain Buffalo’s ground game. The Bills racked up nearly 250 rushing yards - the most Pittsburgh has allowed at home in over five decades. James Cook led the charge with 144 yards on 32 carries, consistently finding daylight against a defense that looked out of sync and overmatched at the point of attack.
That kind of performance has raised red flags heading into a matchup with Baltimore’s ground-heavy offense. Jackson’s dual-threat ability and Henry’s bruising style present a completely different - and arguably more dangerous - challenge. Harmon’s absence removes one of the few young defenders capable of closing gaps quickly and holding his own in the trenches.
Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith didn’t mince words after Sunday’s loss. “It’s frustrating because we haven’t been consistent,” he said.
“One game we’ll stop the run, and this happened tonight. Everyone’s gotta look at themselves in the mirror… Tonight was unacceptable, and we’ve gotta flush it quick.”
The Steelers’ defensive identity has long been built on toughness up front, but without Harmon and with recent cracks in their front seven, that identity is being tested. Sunday's matchup with Baltimore isn’t just another AFC North battle - it’s a gut check for a defense that needs to find answers fast, or risk watching the season slip away under a wave of missed tackles and busted assignments.
For now, Pittsburgh will have to rely on depth and veteran leadership to patch the hole left by Harmon. But make no mistake - if the Steelers want to stay in the playoff hunt, they’ll need their rookie playmaker back on the field sooner rather than later.