Derrick Harmon was looking forward to lining up on the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line for the first snap of the season opener Sept. 7 at the New York Jets.

The rookie defensive tackle, the team’s first-round draft pick, had played well enough in offseason workouts and training camp to earn a starting job alongside Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton.

Everything changed in a two-play sequence Thursday night in the preseason finale against Carolina.

In the second quarter, Harmon suffered an MCL sprain in his knee while rushing the passer on a play that resulted in an interception for the Steelers.

Harmon, who is listed as “week-to-week” by coach Mike Tomlin, said Saturday that he first experienced knee discomfort on the previous play.

“I got hit on the play before and played through it,” Harmon said. “I felt it, and I wanted to get it checked out.”

The injury was feared to be serious — potentially season-ending — as Harmon was taken off the field on a medical cart. Those concerns were alleviated when Harmon walked back onto the sideline and rejoined his teammates in the second half.

Harmon said the knee sprain will not require surgery. Still, his availability for the season opener remains doubtful.

“I was really excited to get up there in the regular season and compete at a high level,” Harmon said. “It (stinks), but it’s part of the game we play. I have to attack this rehab.”

Television cameras showed Harmon smiling on the bench as he sat between veterans Heyward and T.J. Watt in the fourth quarter.

“Just don’t get too much in my head,” Harmon said of the advice they shared. “Injuries are part of this game and part of what we do. They were trying to keep my hopes up and keep me mentally prepared and focused.”

On Saturday, Tomlin wasn’t ready to discuss potential replacements for Harmon, saying the Steelers were “very much still in development.”

Others on the defensive line who could be asked to take on bigger roles include Daniel Ekuale, Isaiahh Loudermilk and rookie fifth-rounder Yahya Black.

“Until he gets back, we’ll fill in as well as we can, regardless of who it is,” Loudermilk said. “When we’re out there, we want to be that guy. We’re not out there to fill in a spot or, hopefully, play well.

“We’re out there to make plays, make splash plays and play within the defense.”

Black also echoed the “next man up” philosophy Tomlin preaches.

“The train is always moving,” Black said, using another Tomlin-ism. “Derrick is always going to be on the train, and he’ll be with us when he gets back.”

Belly celly

Black stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 330 pounds, so he is always going to stand out in a crowd. He also did it with his play in the second half against the Panthers.

Black had sacks on back-to-back snaps, and he celebrated the second one by rubbing his protruding stomach with both hands.

“It just felt right,” he said, smiling. “I mean, I’ve got a belly, so it works.”

The sack dance has become known on social media as the belly celly. Black is embracing it.

“Of course,” he said. “Free the gut.”

Injury update

Several players who did not dress for the preseason finale — or the entire preseason, in some instances — took steps toward being full practice participants Saturday.

Tomlin cited tackle Calvin Anderson, wide receiver Calvin Austin, tight end Jonnu Smith, cornerback Cory Trice, safety Juan Thornhill and defensive back Donte Kent as making progress in their injury recovery.

“We are getting lot of guys working back to us, and it’s the appropriate time,” Tomlin said. “The sand is running through the hour glass.”

The Steelers are scheduled to practice three more times before the players get an NFL-mandated four-day break. Preparations for the season opener resume Sept. 1.

Slot corner Beanie Bishop did not play against Carolina and did not practice Saturday. Although Bishop wasn’t listed as being injured before that game, Tomlin said the second-year corner is “day-to-day” but did not say whether Bishop was hurt.

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