Derrick Harmon, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round draft pick, is focusing on his recovery after suffering a knee sprain during Thursday night’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. The injury occurred when Harmon was hit on the knee but continued to play before leaving the field to be evaluated.
“Yeah, I just got hit on the knee on a play before,” said Harmon. “Played through it the next play. I felt it. Just wanted to get it checked out.
“I didn’t know what it was at the time. That’s why I was so in that mood, in that head space. So pretty much it.”
Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed after the game and again on Saturday that Harmon’s injury is a knee sprain and he will be considered week-to-week.
“I thought it was serious, but it wasn’t that serious,” said Harmon. “But still something I’ve got to be in the training room to get my rehab. That’s my focus right now, to attack rehab and do what I have to do to get back on the field.”
Veteran teammates Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt offered support as Harmon processed his situation.
“Really just don’t get too much in my head,” said Harmon. “Injury is part of this game and at this level is part of what we do. So, they were trying to keep my hopes up and keep me mentally prepared and mentally focused.
“Once I got next to my teammates, they cheered me up. They told me get out of my head. That’s what they really told me. So, that’s why I was laughing like that. It just put it in good spirits, telling me you’re going to be all right.
“Definitely frustrated. Last preseason game and really excited to get out there in the regular season and compete at a high level. It sucks, but it’s part of the game we play, so just got to attack this rehab.”
Harmon emphasized maintaining his mental preparation while recovering physically.
“Stay in the playbook, staying up to game speed,” said Harmon. “Knowing what I got to do even though I’m not going to probably be out there, but still be up to game speed and know what I’ve got to. Take it week-by-week and to the best of my ability attack this rehab.”
Receiver Calvin Austin III returned to practice Saturday after missing all preseason games due to injury.
“It felt great,” said Austin. “It’s always good to be in a competitive scenario in practice and actually get to compete against your teammates. So, it was good to be back.”
Austin noted conditioning as an area needing improvement after his absence from practices.
“Probably the only thing that I’m far back in, if I’m being realistic, is my conditioning,” said Austin. “Besides that, everything else is pretty smoothly.”
With two weeks until their regular season opener against the New York Jets, Austin sees his return as timely for getting ready for competition.
“The only way you can get better is by being out there,” said Austin. “So, I’m just thankful and blessed to be healthy and be back out there.”
Austin remained involved with team activities during his recovery period.
“Since this happened in camp, my process was the exact same as everybody else,” said Austin. “I was in all the meetings, walkthroughs, everything. So, I really didn’t miss a step mentally or anything.
“That’s why I said the biggest thing was just getting that conditioning back. Even if you are conditioning, just running and stuff is always different than getting reactionary football condition.”
He also described working with quarterback Aaron Rodgers during meetings despite not being able to participate fully on-field.
“It hasn’t been a challenge at all,” said Austin. “We were in those meetings. When he communicates, he doesn’t communicate with one person. He goes to all the receivers, tight ends, running backs in meetings. The only thing that I have to get up back on page with is running the routes and stuff. Besides that, we communicate, and everybody’s been on the same page.”
Rookie Yahya Black recorded two sacks—his first time achieving multiple sacks in one game—during Thursday’s contest against Carolina.
“Never,” said Black about having two sacks before Thursday’s performance.” Never.I had five and a half in a career at Iowa.”
Black’s celebration following one sack has gained attention online.” It just felt right,”said Black.”I mean,I’ve got a belly ,so yeah,it works .”
Black credited both skill development and coaching from defensive line coach Karl Dunbar for his progress.”It’s a little bit of both ,”said Black .”It’s skill development ,how you work on it,and see things go your way .””He’s got that personality where he’s goingto geton yourbackandreallypushyoutobeyourbestself ,”said Black .”So,youalwayswanttoshowupforhim ,too .”
The release of veteran long-snapper Jake McQuaide signals confidence within Pittsburgh’s staff regarding Christian Kuntz’s readiness for Week 1.Kuntz confirmed post-practice:”Oh,we’re playing.We got two weeks left,we’llbe good ,for sure ,yeah ,100 percent.Snapped today ,so we’llbe good .”
Kuntz has played 68 consecutive regular-season games since joining Pittsburghin2021.His participation inthe openeragainsttheJets appears likely .
Competition continues between punters Cameron JohnstonandCorliss Waitmanforthe starting role.Both filled roles last season following Johnston’s early injury.Kuntz expressed confidence regardlessofwho earns thestarting job:”Both punters are top-tier punters inthe league ,”Kuntz insisted .”Whoeveritisisgoingtodoagreatjob,and‘Boz’ is‘Boz.’”
On Friday,the Steelers began reducing their roster towardsthe mandatory53-man limit,releasing11playersacross offense ,defense,and special teams .
For fans wanting access tothe action,NFL+ offers live localand primetime regular season games via mobile devices,in additiontoNFL RedZone,NFL Network,and live audio coverage .
