PITTSBURGH —The Pittsburgh Steelers ' rush defense is better with Derrick Harmon . Worlds better.
With the rookie first-round draft pick in the mix, Teryl Austin's defense has given up 96 rushing yards per game. Without Harmon , who's dealing with a knee injury that kept him out of the past two games, that number skyrockets to 191.2 yards per game.
"I try not to look into that, man," Harmon said Thursday when asked if he was aware of the drastic difference. "I try when I'm in and playing (the) game, just playing my best ball and (to) help the team win."
Harmon confirmed that his latest injury is to the same knee he hurt in the preseason, but it's a different type of injury. He's hoping to be back on the field against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 16, 2025 — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
"I'm optimistic, man. I'm really just trying to take it day by day," Harmon said. "Really, once my number's called to get back out there, I'm kinda getting impatient, but it's part of the game."
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that Harmon will be limited earlier in the week.
Harmon said he hadn't been injured often in the past, but getting hurt twice during his rookie season has been "been kinda hard." He missed the Steelers' first two regular-season games with a sprained MCL. This time, he's trying to keep a better outlook.
"It's really, for me, just staying positive," Harmon said. "The first go-round, I don't feel like I was really as positive. This one, I'm just trying to stay as positive as I can throughout this process. … Just being in the building, man, and showing up to meetings and still preparing like I'm still gonna play the game."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Rookie Derrick Harmon Opens Up on Tough Knee Setback
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