Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was carted off the field in their tough Week 4 loss to the Cleveland Browns, and now the worst fears are confirmed. Harmon is expected to miss several weeks with a foot injury, according to Ian Rapoport. The big man was seen in a walking boot after the game, and while Rapoport adds that placing him on Injured Reserve is a consideration, this isn’t expected to be a long-term issue. Still, “a few weeks” feels like an eternity when you’re in the thick of the season.
The D-Line Takes a Hit, Secondary Also Hobbled
Losing Harmon is a massive blow to that Steelers’ defensive line rotation. When a guy gets carted off and then comes back out in a walking boot, you know it’s never good news, right? Now, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Yahya Black are going to have to step up big time into their roles. This is where you find out what you’re really made of, because the depth is getting tested hard. Adding to the headache, cornerback Jamel Dean is also dealing with an ankle injury. He was nursing it before Week 4, left the game, and is now expected to miss “a couple of weeks” himself. Ouch. Two key defensive pieces out for multiple weeks? That’s not ideal for any team, especially not in the early regular season grind.
Jonathan Taylor Looms Large in Week 5
So, what’s the immediate consequence of these injuries? The Steelers are hosting the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5, and talk about bad timing. The Colts bring a seriously dangerous run game, led by none other than Jonathan Taylor. Not having Harmon in the middle to clog those lanes is going to be a huge problem. You absolutely need your big guys up front when you’re facing an elite runner like Taylor. Remember, this is the same Steelers team that just fell to the Browns 27-24, where they allowed five sacks on Aaron Rodgers. They’re already on the back foot, and now they’re down key defenders facing a premier ground attack. This Week 5 matchup just got a whole lot tougher, and the defense is going to have to find a way to step up, fast, or it could be a long afternoon against the Colts.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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