Linebacker Malik Harrison has been activated by the Pittsburgh Steelers from the Reserve/Injured, Designated for Return List to the team’s 53-man roster. Harrison had returned to practice on October 13, which started a 21-day period for the team to activate him or keep him on the Reserve/Injured List for the rest of the season.
Harrison was sidelined with a knee injury after the Steelers’ Week 1 game against the New York Jets. Reflecting on his recovery, Harrison said, “I feel good, feel back normal. It doesn’t hurt any more. Just ready to get back out there.
“I’m happy to be out there. Last week was my first practice. I felt good out there this week. I feel even better.”
He noted that regaining confidence in his knee took time following his injury. “I had to build my confidence back up,” said Harrison. “I think when I first was running, I wasn’t that confident. But once I got back out there and playing football, I got confident.”
Harrison joined the Steelers on a two-year contract at the start of free agency this year after spending five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, who selected him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft as the 98th overall pick.
Over his career, Harrison has played in 77 games with 35 starts and recorded 144 tackles—78 solo—and seven tackles for loss. He also has two sacks, four quarterback hurries, one pass defensed, and made significant contributions on special teams with 30 tackles.
“I’ve been in the league for six years, so I’ve got a lot of experience, on the special teams side especially,” said Harrison. “Even in the meeting rooms this whole time I’ve been out, I’ve been giving advice to guys, especially talking to the young guys, telling them what I see and things like that.”
Harrison emphasized his physical style of play and role within Pittsburgh’s defense: “That’s what they brought me here for,” he said. “I’m a physical guy. I feel like I can stop the run. That’s what I came here for.”
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