PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers placed Jarvis Jones on the injured reserve/designated to return list Monday, confirming that the second-year outside linebacker is a long way from getting back on the field after dislocating his wrist in Sunday's 37-19 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Jones had surgery a day after helping Pittsburgh improve to 2-1, and the once-per-season injured reserve exemption the Steelers used on their 2013 first-round pick allows Jones to resume practicing in six weeks and play in a game in eight weeks if he is healthy.
Jones was one of three Steelers defensive starters who got hurt in the third quarter against the Panthers on Sunday night. The 6-foot-2, 245-pounder might have injured his wrist when he sacked Panthers quarterback Cam Newton on the pivotal play of the game.
Jones forced a fumble when he ran into Newton, and Jason Worilds recovered the loose ball. That set up the first of two Ben Roethlisberger touchdown passes to Antonio Brown, which gave the Steelers a 15-3 lead.
Jones did not play after his sack and forced fumble, and his loss leaves the Steelers with almost no depth at outside linebacker.
Arthur Moats, who took over for Jones at right outside linebacker, had been the only backup at outside linebacker and will start for the foreseeable future. The Steelers could sign rookie Howard Jones from the practice squad to provide depth, but the former Division II product is considered a project and is not a viable option to play significant snaps aside from special teams. Inside linebacker Terence Garvin also has worked at outside linebacker.
However, five-time Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison, who officially retired less than three weeks ago, is now expected to rejoin the Steelers in the wake of the injuries, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Harrison, who tweeted early Monday night that he was willing to return for another season, was scheduled to meet Tuesday with Steelers coaches. Assuming the meeting goes well, he was expected to sign with the team, the source told Schefter.
The Steelers also lost cornerback Ike Taylor and rookie inside linebacker Ryan Shazier to injuries in the win over the Panthers but they have more depth at both of those positions.
Taylor is out indefinitely after breaking his right forearm, and the 13-year veteran could be done for the season. Shazier sprained his knee Sunday night, and the first-round pick is likely out for at least a couple of weeks.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will provide an injury update Tuesday at his weekly news conference, which starts at noon ET.
Information from ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter was used in this report.