The Cleveland Browns added insult to injury on Thursday night, quite literally. The Pittsburgh Steelers lost both defensive tackle Derrick Harmon and cornerback Jamel Dean during the game. Harmon was carted off the field, and both players were seen in boots after the game.

We now have an update on both players, and it is a mixed bag for Pittsburgh.

Derrick Harmon avoids a season-ending injury

Update: Mike McCarthy confirms that Derrick Harmon will head to the injured reserve, meaning he’s out for at least four weeks.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and ESPN delivered the first update on Harmon:

“Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, who was carted off on Thursday night with a foot injury, is expected to miss a few weeks. IR would be a consideration for Harmon, though it’s not definite. Either way, not a long-term injury.”

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So the Steelers seemingly skirted a season-ending injury for Harmon. Losing him for the year would have completely changed the complexion of the defensive front in Pittsburgh. On that front, this is somewhat good news.

The truth is, though, the timing is rough.

Steelers defensive front has to step up against Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor and the Colts are up next for Pittsburgh, and that is exactly the type of game where the Steelers need Harmon on the field. Indianapolis is going to try and pound the rock, and the interior of the defense is where that battle will be won or lost.

Without Harmon, Yahya Black has to step up in a big way. So does Sebastian Joseph-Day. On top of that, the Steelers need Keeanu Benton and Cam Heyward to keep playing at the level they have been. If the Steelers can’t hold up against the run, Taylor is the type of back who will make them pay for it all afternoon.

Jamel Dean’s absence reshapes the cornerback room

Here’s the problem: if the Colts decide to throw the football instead, it’s more bad news for the Steelers.

On top of Harmon missing a few weeks, it appears that free agent addition Jamel Dean will also be out for a few weeks as he works his way back from an ankle injury.Pittsburgh lost Dean in that same game against Cleveland, and it became clear quickly that the Browns started targeting Daylen Everette and Asante Samuel Jr. once he went down.

That is not what the Steelers envisioned when they signed Dean in free agency. The plan was to have Joey Porter Jr. on one side and Dean on the other, giving Pittsburgh two big, long, physical corners on the outside.

That is no longer the case. Porter is a Dallas Cowboy, and Dean is injured.

So the onus falls on rookie Daylen Everette. He has a lot of traits and has shown some promise, but he’s still pretty raw and needs some time on task. Then there’s Samuel, who is a little bit on the smaller side. Neither is the matchup Pittsburgh drew up when it built this cornerback room, and opposing offenses have already shown they’re willing to go after both.

The bottom line on the Steelers’ injuries

To be fair to the Steelers, this is the attrition component that comes with playing in the NFL. Every team is going to lose key pieces at some point, and the good news is neither Harmon nor Dean appears to be facing a long-term absence.

But losing a starting defensive tackle and a starting cornerback at the same time, right before a matchup with one of the league’s best running backs, is a tough draw. The way I see it, the depth behind both players is about to get a real test.

We will see how the Steelers weather the storm after losing both Harmon and Dean for a few weeks.