After missing the last two matchups against the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens with another knee injury, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon was hopeful to get back into the lineup in Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, especially with the extra day of preparation.
But he enters Monday night with a questionable designation, and according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Steelers insider Gerry Dulac, who appeared on the 102.5 WDVE Morning Show Monday, it doesn’t sound like Harmon will get a helmet against the Dolphins, another run-heavy offense.
Harmon missed practice on Thursday and Friday with the knee injury, and then was limited on Saturday ahead of the Monday night game.
“Yeah, usually that’s the case. They were certainly hoping to get him back. I know he was hopeful. His type of injury is usually two to four weeks, so it’s been two,” Dulac said of Harmon and his status, according to audio via 102.5 WDVE. “You could spin the numbers, what it’s like with him and without him, and, and it could be coincidence or it could be telling, but one thing’s for sure what hurts when he’s not there, not only just not having him, then all of a sudden your rotational depth just isn’t as good.”
Though Dulac doesn’t state it outright, it sure sounds like Harmon won’t be able to go tonight against the Dolphins on the North Shore. That could be a major blow to the Steelers’ chances, considering the Dolphins have a great rushing attack and have had a ton of success in the last two months running the football with the likes of De’Von Achane, rookie Ollie Gordon, and Jaylen Wright.
If Harmon indeed can’t go Monday night, that would push fellow rookie Yahya Black into the starting lineup. As Dulac alluded to, with Black in the starting lineup, that hurts the depth for the Steelers. Veteran Esezi Otomewo has had to play in recent weeks, giving the Steelers 22 snaps against the Bills and 34 snaps against the Ravens in successive weeks.
With Harmon out of the lineup, the Steelers tend to get gashed in the run game. They’re allowing more than 100 yards when he’s not on the field, and holding opponents to less than 100 yards on the ground when he is out there. It might be a coincidence, or it might not be.
Harmon was a first-round pick for a reason, after all. We’ll see if he dresses Monday night. If he does, it’ll be a significant boost for the Steelers. If not, well, the depth will be tested in a major way once again.
