After Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was carted off the field with a knee injury in Thursday’s preseason win at Carolina, it appears he avoided the worst-case scenario.

Harmon sustained an MCL sprain and will be sidelined four to six weeks, NFL Network and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Friday.

The former Michigan State and Oregon defensive lineman will miss the start of his rookie season, but is reportedly not expected to be placed on injured reserve. That’s great news for the Steelers, who quickly talked about Harmon as an immediate starter when he was taken 21st overall in this year’s NFL draft.

Harmon, who transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2024 season, amassed 45 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries last season for the Ducks, helping them earn the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

The earlier side of that recovery timetable could have Harmon back as soon as the Steelers’ Week 3 game vs. New England on Sept. 21. If he’s closer to the six-week timetable, that would likely have him making his regular-season debut Oct. 12 vs. Cleveland coming out of the team’s bye week.

–Field Level Media