Derrick Harmon described himself as “anxious” to get on an NFL field. He said it’s been “tough” having to endure an injury that’s delayed his pro debut.

But as a young man who lost his mother to the effects of a stroke hours after he was selected as a first-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Harmon knows he can endure anything — especially merely overcoming a knee injury.

“I’ve been through a lot in my life, so when it comes to emotions I feel like I’m battle-tested,” Harmon said Wednesday from the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “There’s nothing too much emotionally that can test me. But right now, my biggest focus is just getting out there to help my team win games.”

After the Steelers struggled in stopping the run through the first two games of the season, a reinforcement on the defensive line would be welcomed. As a 313-pound defensive tackle selected No. 21 overall, Harmon would figure to be of much assistance.

The knee injury he suffered during the preseason finale, though, did not allow Harmon to practice at all over the first two weeks of the regular season. The Steelers did not place Harmon on injured reserve, which requires a player to miss four games, a tacit indication that they hoped he could return before Week 5.

Coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday termed Harmon’s availability for Sunday’s game at the New England Patriots as “questionable.” For the first time since his injury, Harmon on Wednesday took part in a practice. He was listed as a limited participant on the league-mandated injury report.

“I just want to get out there and help the team in any way I can right now,” Harmon said before the practice. “Right now, my main focus is trying to be prepared and make sure I’m healthy enough to get out there.”

Harmon said that despite not playing or practicing that the experiences he’d had over the past 2 ½ weeks since the season started have been invaluable. He’s attended meetings, observed game plans, studied schemes and been an interested observer at every practice.

“If my number’s called,” Harmon said, “I’m ready to go.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)