The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to get one of their brightest young pieces back in the lineup ahead of their Week 16 clash with the Detroit Lions on the road. First-round pick Derrick Harmon made his full return to practice Wednesday after missing the past three weeks with a knee injury.
Head coach Mike Tomlin suggested during his Tuesday press conference that Harmon was likely healthy enough to play in Monday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins, but he was held out as a precaution, not only for his injury but also because of his inexperience.
It couldn’t be a perfect time for Harmon to return, as the Steelers head to his hometown of Detroit to face a Lions squad that may not be quite as dominant as past seasons, but still knows how to run the ball.
Derrick Harmon gives Pittsburgh Steelers a needed answer for Detroit’s ground game
Steelers fans got their first look at Harmon going full speed since November, and with the Lions up next, the Steelers need Harmon back in the lineup. Harmon has been a force against the run this season, and in his absence, the Steelers’ rush defense suffered.
Pittsburgh allowed 200+ on the ground against the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens in back-to-back weeks. Steelers fans braced for another poor showing against the Miami Dolphins, whose rushing attack was coming off four-straight 164+ yard performances. Even without Harmon and T.J. Watt available, the defense stepped up and allowed just 63 yards on the ground.
Still, Detroit isn’t known to be nearly as volatile as Miami is week-to-week. The Lions carry the league’s 5th-ranked rushing offense despite ranking just 20th in total attempts. Detroit is 8-1 this season when they total more than 100 yards on the ground. They’re 0-5 if they don’t cross the century mark.
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That’s where the importance of Harmon comes into play. In the five games Harmon has missed this season, Pittsburgh has allowed an average of 165.6 yards per game. In every other game, Pittsburgh has allowed an average of 96 yards.
Of course, while Harmon was out, fellow rookie Yahya Black and Esezi Otomewo have seen more playing time and have capitalized on it with solid play, especially against Miami last Monday. Because of that, Pittsburgh can work Harmon back in comfortably, but there’s no doubt Pittsburgh needs him to hit the ground running in his expected return in Detroit.