Steelers likely to wait another week on Derrick Harmon before Bengals rematch

The Pittsburgh Steelers will probably have to wait at least one more week for defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. SB Nation reports that beat writer Ray Fittipaldo doesn't expect the 2025 first-round pick to be activated for Sunday night's game at Cincinnati. Fittipaldo thinks the team will take a careful approach with a foot injury that has kept Harmon out since early in the season.

Harmon is still on injured reserve, so he can't play until he is activated. Steelers Depot notes that Pittsburgh has until 4 p.m. ET Saturday to make that move. If the team doesn't, Harmon stays on IR through the weekend. Pittsburgh opened his 21-day practice window on Wednesday. He was limited that day and again on Thursday, according to the team's injury report on Steelers.com. Yahoo Sports reported that he has missed four games.

Harmon himself hasn't ruled out Sunday. "There's a possibility," he told Steelers.com, adding that he is taking his return one day at a time. Head coach Mike McCarthy said Harmon reached the target the staff had set for him at Wednesday's practice. McCarthy also said he is happy with how the rest of the defensive-line rotation has held up.

Harmon's absence matters more against this opponent. In the Week 3 meeting, he sacked Joe Burrow in the final minute and forced a fumble, which Sebastian Joseph-Day recovered to close out a 30-27 Pittsburgh win. He went on injured reserve the following week. If he isn't activated, the Steelers will play the rematch with the same interior group that has carried the defense since then.

What it means for Sunday in Cincinnati

That group has played well. Pittsburgh is 6-2 and has won four straight: 34-22 over Indianapolis, 26-19 at Tampa Bay, 16-10 over New Orleans and 27-6 over Cleveland last time out. The Steelers have allowed 18 points per game this season and just 16.8 during the winning streak. The offense averages 22.5 points per game. Their two losses came on the road, 20-3 at New England and 27-24 at Cleveland.

The game at Paycor Stadium airs on NBC, and the board still makes Cincinnati the choice. The Bengals are favored at -167 on Novig, with the Steelers at +163. The spread has Pittsburgh getting 3.5 points, at -104 on Novig, and Cincinnati laying them at +102. The 11 venues on the board are close to each other. Sportsbook hold on the moneyline runs from 3.2% to 5.3%.

The total is the most interesting number. Novig lists 49.5, with the over at -100 and the under at -102. FanDuel is a point lower at 48.5, with the over at -115. Either number sits well above what Steelers games have produced. Pittsburgh's eight games have averaged 40.5 combined points. Only the first meeting with Cincinnati, which totaled 57, would have cleared it. Full prices are on the game page.

The next week's prices show how much the market thinks of the Steelers. For the November 22 game at Philadelphia, Pittsburgh is favored at -203 on Novig and is laying 4.5 points.

If Fittipaldo is right, Harmon's next target is that Eagles game. More on the roster is on our Steelers team page.