Skip to main content
Join Now

Mike Tomlin provides injury updates on Steelers defenders, expresses optimism for Nick Herbig vs. Seattle

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones6 hours agobrianjones_93
Nick Herbig (1)
Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) takes the field against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin shared injury news on some key defenders heading into the Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks and shared good news on linebacker Nick Herbig. Tomlin said on Tuesday that defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, safety DeShon Elliott and linebacker Malik Harrison and expected to be out on Sunday. All three are dealing with knee injuries.

Tomlin also said that he’s “optimistic” CB Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) could play; “really optimistic” Herbig (hamstring) could return, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. We’ll know more about Porter and Herbig on Wednesday when the first practice report of the week is released.

Herbig did not play in the season opener on Sunday against the Jets. He is in his third NFL season after the Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Herbig recorded 27 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles in 17 games with zero starts. Last year, Herbig notched 22 tackles, five tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 13 games with five starts.

TJ Watt praises Nick Herbig before the start of the season

The Steelers can’t wait to have Herbig back in the lineup. “He’s so hungry, he really is,” Steelers pass rusher TJ Watt of Herbig back in August. “He’s a very hungry individual, asking the right questions still to this day and just constantly working, whether it’s pre-practice with nobody out there, post-practice, just working on new moves. He’s not afraid to fail, but he doesn’t fail much. It’s been fun to watch him grow.”

“He’s done a great job,” Watt added. “I think that’s the biggest key to being an outside linebacker here is you want to be a well-rounded player. And not only for yourself, but for the whole team. And you want to be reliable. I think he’s working his way towards that.”

The Steelers will look to go 2-0 on Sunday after getting a 34-32 victory over the Jets. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes, and the defense was led by linebacker Alex Highsmith, who recorded eight tackles and one sack. Elliott recorded six tackles before leaving the game with a knee injury.