During a recent game against the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Malik Harrison suffered a serious head injury. The incident occurred in the first half, with Pittsburgh leading 17-3. Harrison was attempting to tackle running back Derrick Henry when he was hit in the head or neck region. He was motionless on the field for several moments before being able to walk off.
Following the injury, Steelers’ senior director of communications, Burt Lauten, confirmed that Harrison sustained a concussion and would miss the remainder of the game. Cole Holcomb replaced him on the field.
Malik Harrison’s Career and 2025 Season
Malik Harrison, an Ohio State alumni, has a notable background. He played 52 games for the Buckeyes from 2016 to 2019, recording 205 tackles. The Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Over five seasons, he played in 76 games for the Ravens, starting 34 contests. His performance included 174 tackles and two sacks during regular season play, in addition to 23 tackles in seven postseason games.
In March 2025, Harrison signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Steelers. However, he encountered a setback when he sustained a knee injury in Week 1 against the New York Jets, which placed him on the reserve/injured list. He returned to action before Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts and had tallied 24 tackles in six games prior to the Ravens matchup, contributing 41% of the defensive snaps and 52% of special teams snaps.
Impact of Harrison’s Injury on the Steelers
With Malik Harrison out, Cole Holcomb is expected to step into a more significant role within Pittsburgh’s defense alongside Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson. This season, Holcomb recorded 27 total tackles before this week. After missing three games due to illness in November, he has recently returned to form.
Holcomb’s role is especially crucial following his recovery from a severe knee injury that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season. The only other inside linebacker available outside of Queen, Wilson, and Holcomb is rookie Carson Bruener. Bruener has played just one defensive snap this year, mostly contributing to special teams.
Conclusion
The health of Malik Harrison is a significant concern for the Steelers as they navigate the season. His concussion raises questions about depth in the linebacker position and the overall defensive strategy moving forward.
