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Derrick Harmon Injury Update
Derrick Harmon is still out with a knee injury. He missed the Pittsburgh Steelers Week 15 game against the Miami Dolphins and has now sat three straight games with the same knee issue.
Harmon hurt his knee again late in November. Reports say it is the same knee he sprained in the preseason against the Carolina Panthers, when he suffered an MCL sprain that already cost him the first two games of his rookie year. He came back from that first setback and played a solid stretch of games, but the knee flared up again and forced him off the field.
This latest problem kept him out for the games leading into Week 15. The team listed him as questionable for the Dolphins game after he managed a limited practice on Saturday, which showed at least some progress in his rehab. Even with that limited work, the medical staff decided he was not ready, so he landed on the inactive list again for Monday night.
Coaches and local reporters have made it clear the injury is frustrating because Harmon hardly ever missed time in college. He played 24 straight games at Michigan State and then all 14 games at Oregon, so dealing with two knee injuries in one rookie season is new territory for him. Team insiders have even mentioned the possibility of a clean up surgery on that knee in the offseason to settle the issue for good if it keeps bothering him.
In his own words, Harmon called this a trying season and admitted the back to back knee problems have been tough mentally. He confirmed the latest issue is on the same knee as the preseason sprain, but said it is a different type of injury. He also said he is taking it day by day and is eager to get back on the field, though he knows he has to be patient and listen to the doctors.
For the Steelers, his absence is a real loss up front. With Harmon on the field, their run defense gives up around 96 rushing yards per game. Without him in the lineup over the last stretch, that number has jumped by almost 100 yards per game, which shows how important he already is to their interior line. In his place, fellow rookie Yahya Black has taken on a bigger role and made his third start against Miami, trying to hold things down inside.
Right now Harmon remains listed as inactive with a knee injury but not on season ending injured reserve. Rotowire projects a possible return around December 21, which would line him up for the next game if his knee responds well to treatment and practice work. The team has not given a firm date, so his status will likely stay day to day heading into late December.
In short, the latest update is simple. Harmon is still out with a lingering knee injury and just missed his third straight game. He is trending in the right direction after limited practice, yet the Steelers are being careful with a first round pick who has already had two knee issues in the same year. His next real chance to play comes in Week 16 if swelling and pain stay under control and the staff finally clears him.
Disclaimer
This injury update is based on publicly available team reports, player comments, and media coverage and is subject to change. Practice participation and projected return dates are not guarantees of availability. Fans and fantasy managers should monitor official Pittsburgh Steelers injury reports and game-day inactive lists for confirmation.
