EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. —Ahead of their regular-season opening matchup against the New York Jets , the Pittsburgh Steelers named Nick Herbig , Max Scharping , Esezi Otomewo , and Andrus Peat as their inactives. Unsurprisingly, Derrick Harmon also won't play.
Skylar Thompson is the Steelers' emergency third quarterback, behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph . Thompson had been questionable with a hamstring injury.
Herbig, a third-year outside linebacker, was limited during practice this week with a hamstring injury. Steelers rookie Jack Sawyer will help fill in for him. Sawyer had nine sacks and an interception with Ohio State last year.
Harmon, the Steelers' first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is dealing with a sprained MCL suffered in the team's final preseason game. Harmon's availability comes as no surprise, given that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled him out
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon after suffering a knee injury in a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 21, 2025. — Ed Thomson / Steelers Now
"Thankfully as we sit here today and, really, just based on the structure of the preseason and how it's set up, it's done so that we all get an opportunity to move into the season as healthy as possible," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said of the team's overall health on Tuesday. "Not having a game last week, obviously, last weekend, helps that. Derrick Harmon is the only guy at this juncture that I will characterize as 'out.'"
Isaiahh Loudermilk , Daniel Ekuale and rookie Yahya Black will be part of the rotation that fills in for Harmon, who was reported to be expected to be out for around a month.
As for the Jets, they won't be dressing receiver Allen Lazard , tight end Jelani Woods , edge rusher Braiden McGregor , offensive tackle Esa Pole and defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III.
OLB Nick Herbig (hamstring)
DT Derrick Harmon (knee)
OL Andrus Peat
OL Max Scharping
DT Esezi Otomewo
OL Esa Pole (ankle)
WR Allen Lazard
EDGE Braiden McGregor
TE Jelani Woods
DL Leonard Taylor III
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Key Steelers LB Among Inactive Players vs. NY Jets
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