Harmon and Dean leave Steelers loss injured; both seen in boots

Derrick Harmon and Jamel Dean both left Pittsburgh's 27-24 loss to Cleveland with injuries Thursday night, adding two unresolved availability questions to a defense already dealing with absences. Harmon injured his foot and Dean hurt his ankle; neither returned to the game.

Steelers spokesperson Burt Lauten confirmed that Harmon was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. That announcement concerned Thursday's game and did not establish his availability for Pittsburgh's next matchup.

The two defenders were later seen in protective boots. The Athletic's Mike DeFabo reported Harmon's boot after the game, while WPXI's Jenna Harner observed Dean wearing one on his right foot. The Steelers' own Friday morning report also said both players left the stadium in boots. Those observations do not establish the severity of either injury or a return timetable.

Pittsburgh turns to its remaining depth

Dean's exit increased the workload for rookie cornerback Daylen Everette. Pittsburgh's official postgame report described Everette's most extensive action so far and noted that his role against Indianapolis could depend on Dean's recovery. Asante Samuel Jr. also remained part of the cornerback rotation after Dean went out.

Harmon's departure gave second-year defensive lineman Yahya Black more work. Black had been questionable because of a personal matter before suiting up; the Steelers finished without Harmon in their interior rotation.

These injuries came as Pittsburgh was adjusting to Joey Porter Jr.'s trade to Dallas. Jalen Ramsey played with a cast on his injured wrist, and DeShon Elliott remained on injured reserve. Pittsburgh's next defensive lineup therefore depends on several separate availability decisions, rather than a confirmed replacement plan for either Harmon or Dean.

The immediate question is whether the injured starters can return to practice. Neither the club's postgame reports nor the reporters' locker-room observations supplied a diagnosis or recovery schedule for Harmon or Dean.