Steelers beat Panthers 19-10 in
preseason finale, but lose 1st-round pick Harmon to sprained knee
[August 22, 2025]
By STEVE REED
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Skylar Thompson completed 11 of 13 passes for
152 yards including a 24-yard touchdown strike to Lance McCutcheon,
rookie Ben Sauls kicked four field goals and the Pittsburgh Steelers
beat the Carolina Panthers 19-10 on Thursday night in the preseason
finale.
The Steelers (2-1) played a handful of starters on both sides of the
ball, while the Panthers (0-3) rested all of theirs and several top
reserves.
Getting some players extra preseason reps may have backfired on
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin as defensive end Derrick Harmon, the
team's first-round draft pick, was carted to the locker room because
of a sprained knee in the first half. Harmon, the 21st pick in the
draft, did not return and will continue to be evaluated.
Tomlin said Harmon has a "knee sprain of some description" and
called the injury significant. He did not give a timetable on his
return.
Tomlin said despite holding the Panthers to 10 points, there are
areas to improve upon.
“I thought we were highly penalized, we turned the ball over there
early and the tackling was shaky at best at times,” Tomlin said. “I
think they had 100 yards rushing at the half and that’s just kind of
indicative of how poor the tackling was at times.”
Thompson entered the game in the second quarter in relief of Mason
Rudolph, who started with Aaron Rodgers sitting out. Thompson
completed his first five passes for 72 yards, including a
perfectly-placed over-the-shoulder pass to McCutcheon in the left
corner of the end zone for the game's first touchdown.
Thompson also connected on a 53-yard strike to Scotty Miller, who
finished with 82 yards on three receptions.
“He’s not afraid to attack,” Tomlin said. “I mean, he comes in boom,
boom, boom. He’s got playing experience. This guy started (three
career) games in Miami and so, I think that experience shows.”
Rudolph finished 6 of 8 for 36 yards, including an interception on
an overthrow.
“Hey, we’re not a finished product, but no one is,” Tomlin said.
Jack Plummer, playing in place of Bryce Young and the injured Andy
Dalton, started slow for the Panthers with a red-zone interception
on Carolina's third possession after escaping pressure in the
pocket. But he battled back to complete 7 of 14 passes for 48 yards,
including a 7-yard touchdown toss to a wide-open James Mitchell in
the corner of the end zone to tie it at 10 before halftime.
Carolina struggled in the second half under recently signed
quarterback Bryce Perkins, who turned the ball over on a sack-fumble
by Yahya Black and failed to lead a scoring drive.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Skylar Thompson celebrates after
showing a touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers during the
first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 21,
2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Panthers rookie outside linebacker Princely
Umanmielen said he's not worried about the team going winless in the
preseason and being outscored 69-23.
“I don’t really look at it too much and read into it too much
because (teammates) DJ Wonnum and Pat Jones told me when they were
at Minnesota they never won a preseason game — and Minnesota was
usually always in the playoffs," Umanmielen said.
Warren makes debut
Running back Jaylen Warren made his preseason debut for the Steelers
and had 3 yards rushing on two carries and 12 yards receiving on two
catches. Warren is expected to start for the Steelers this season,
although rookie Kaleb Johnson will push him for playing time.
Johnson had 24 yards on five carries.
Kicking battle
Ryan Fitzgerald made a 43-yard field goal and an extra point for the
Panthers.
The rookie from Florida State is battling for a roster spot with
journeyman Matthew Wright. The Panthers elected not to re-sign
unrestricted free agent Eddy Pineiro. Despite being the NFL's
third-most accurate kicker ever at 88.1%, Pineiro has yet to land a
spot with an NFL team.
Sauls made field goals of 38, 50, 49 and 28 yards.
“Really happy for Ben Sauls, the work he was able to show us
tonight, man, good for him,” Tomlin said.
Injuries
Steelers: Aside from Harmon, WR Brandon Johnson left in the first
half with a foot injury.
Panthers: Umanmielen said he will have an MRI on his right shoulder
on Friday. OT Ja'Tyre Carter (ankle) and RB Raheem Blackshear
(ankle) sustained injuries.
Up next
Both teams open the season on the road Sept. 7, with the Steelers
facing the Jets, and Panthers playing the Jaguars.
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