Derrick Harmon injury update: Latest news on Steelers rookie's return timeline

For the second straight week, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be without first-round pick and starting defensive lineman Derrick Harmon.

Harmon has been sidelined because of a knee injury since the last preseason game. He was unable to practice this week and was officially ruled out for the Week 2 contest against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday.

Considering the fact that Harmon wasn't placed on injured reserve to start the season, it's safe to assume he'll make his return in the next week or two.

Here's what we know about Harmon's return timeline.

Derrick Harmon could return Week 3 or 4

Early last week, Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reported that Harmon was slated to ramp up his activity ahead of the Week 2 game against the Seahawks, although he wasn't expected to play.

Saunders noted that Harmon was more likely to make his Steelers debut in Week 3 versus the New England Patriots.

Harmon is expected to begin working this week, and there is a chance he could return as soon as this Sunday’s home opener against the Seattle Seahawks. It’s probably more likely that he makes his Steelers debut in Week 3, on the road against the New England Patriots.

Harmon was ruled out on Tuesday by head coach Mike Tomlin, so he was never close to suiting up against Seattle. And, he didn't practice during the week, so if he was indeed ramping up, he wasn't doing it on the practice field with his teammates.

We wouldn't completely rule out Harmon returning in Week 3, but knowing what we know about his lack of practice participation and how fast he was ruled out for Week 2, we would temper expectations about him suiting up next week.

Instead, it feels like Week 4 is a more realistic timeline for him to return. If he does play in Week 3, look for Harmon to be limited when it comes to his snaps in what would be his NFL debut.

In the meantime, the Steelers are likely to deploy a combination of Yahya Black, Isaiahh Loudermilk and Daniel Ekuale to fill the void left by Harmon in Week 2.

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