Injuries are never welcome, especially during the final preseason game. The big moment on Thursday night in Carolina came when cameras caught Derrick Harmon, the No. 1 pick, sitting on the bench in street clothes, smiling between teammates Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt. Earlier, he’d been on a cart due to a knee injury, looking distressed under a towel. Coach Mike Tomlin later confirmed it was a knee sprain and said that more details would come soon. For now, Harmon’s smile hinted at good news.
The game ended with the Steelers beating the Panthers 19-10, bringing their preseason record to 2-1 after a tough 0-3 last year. While these stats lead to questions about their significance, what matters more is how this game influences player evaluations. Each roster spot means a paycheck of around $47,000 to $70,000—these positions are crucial.
Tomlin emphasized this game as a chance for players to make their case for a job. “This is a real opportunity,” he said, reminding everyone how much is at stake.
Quarterback depth is often the spotlight in football, and the Steelers had a competition for the No. 3 spot this offseason. While Howard, a high-profile draft pick from Ohio State, was expected to excel, injuries altered the landscape. After Howard broke a bone in his pinkie, Skylar Thompson stepped in, proving himself in the preseason. Thompson completed 41 of 56 passes, gaining nearly 500 yards, with four touchdowns and an impressive rating of 116.5.
Against the Panthers, Thompson continued to shine, throwing for 152 yards and guiding the offense to a touchdown and two field goals. As a result, it looks likely the Steelers will find a way to keep both Thompson and Howard.
Receiver Scotty Miller also made a strong case for himself. At just 5’9″, he caught nine passes for 167 yards during the preseason, including three for 82 yards in this game. His budding connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been promising.
Defensive standout Yayha Black contributed too, racking up five tackles and two sacks. His performance should secure his place on the team. Meanwhile, the running game showed improvements thanks to individual efforts from Kaleb Johnson, Trey Sermon, and Lew Nichols. The offensive line also held strong in pass protection.
However, the game wasn’t without its slip-ups. The Steelers incurred 13 penalties for 104 yards, while the Panthers converted over half of their third downs. Despite their No. 3 and No. 4 quarterbacks, Carolina controlled the game clock for nearly ten extra minutes.
The Steelers now face the daunting task of cutting their roster down from 90 to 53 players. The deadline looms just five days away, and tough decisions await. Tomlin acknowledged the difficulty but remained open to adjustments, hinting that changes could occur as they refine the lineup before the regular season begins.
As the Steelers wrap up their preseason, they must turn exclamation points into certainty while addressing lingering concerns. Each decision could shape their upcoming season and the team’s future.
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Labriola On,Non-Sponsored,Featured,Sights and Sounds,Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers (2025-PRE-3)
