The Pittsburgh Steelers are just days away from kicking off their season against the New York Jets, but their defense may not be at full strength when they take the field at MetLife Stadium. Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Friday that two young defenders — rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon and outside linebacker Nick Herbig — are dealing with injuries that could significantly impact the opener.
Harmon Ruled Out After Strong Preseason
Harmon, Pittsburgh’s promising rookie defensive end, has officially been ruled out after missing the entire week of practice. The setback comes as a blow, especially after the 2025 fourth-round pick turned heads throughout training camp and preseason with his blend of size, strength, and burst off the line.
Initially penciled in as the team’s starting left defensive end, Harmon had been expected to play a major role alongside Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton in solidifying the Steelers’ defensive front. Instead, Pittsburgh will likely have to rely on fellow rookie Yahya Black to step into that role. Another option could be a late addition from outside the organization, though with Week 1 approaching, the most realistic path is keeping the rotation in-house.
Harmon already battled through an injury in camp before returning for preseason action, where he made a strong impression by showcasing his ability to collapse the pocket and disrupt plays in the backfield. Tomlin praised his potential earlier this summer, calling him “a guy who plays with power beyond his years.”
Herbig Questionable, Taking Recovery ‘Day by Day’
Meanwhile, the Steelers are keeping a close eye on the status of second-year pass rusher Nick Herbig, who is listed as questionable for Sunday. Herbig practiced in a limited capacity all week, but whether he will be available against the Jets remains unclear.
Since suffering the injury, Herbig said he has mostly been doing light workouts and only returned to meaningful practice reps on Wednesday. He credited head athletic trainer Gabe Amponsah for helping him build a recovery plan that focuses on movement and keeping the muscle loose to speed up his progress.
“I’m just taking it day by day,” Herbig told reporters. “I feel like I have a great plan with Gabe. I think I’m progressing every day and just keep stacking days. We’ll see how I feel.”
Tomlin echoed Herbig’s cautious optimism but declined to commit to whether the young linebacker would suit up in Week 1.
Depth Tested Early
If Herbig is unavailable, it would thin out Pittsburgh’s outside linebacker rotation behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, two of the most critical pieces of the Steelers’ pass rush. While Watt and Highsmith form one of the NFL’s top edge duos, the team has leaned on Herbig as a change-of-pace rusher who brings energy off the bench. His absence would put more snaps on the starters and force depth players like Jeremiah Moon to see increased action.
The situation adds intrigue to the Steelers’ defensive game plan against a Jets offense led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is making his highly anticipated return from injury. Disrupting Rodgers has been a focal point for Pittsburgh all week, but doing so without two emerging defenders will be a tougher challenge.
Looking Ahead
Despite the uncertainty, Tomlin emphasized the Steelers’ “next man up” mentality, a philosophy the team has leaned on in past seasons when dealing with injuries. The early absence of Harmon and the potential absence of Herbig provide younger players a chance to prove themselves — but also raise immediate questions about Pittsburgh’s depth on the defensive front.
The Jets matchup will test how well the Steelers can adjust under pressure, especially if they have to lean heavily on their veterans in the trenches. For a team that prides itself on defense, the first game of 2025 may already demand some creative adjustments.
