Report: Steelers rookie NT Javon Hargrave leaves practice with apparent knee injury

Earlier Monday the Pittsburgh Steelers released their Week 1 depth chart, and the lone surprise on the chart was rookie nose tackle Javon Hargrave slotted to start against the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football.

As exhilarating as that had to be for the rookie from South Carolina State, there is a chance he is now dealing with something much bigger than the pressure of the NFL prime time stage -- an injury.

Javon Hargrave left practice early with an apparent knee injury. Tuitt said he didn't get full details yet, but said he left early.

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) September 5, 2016

According to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Hargrave left practice early with an apparent knee injury. Stephon Tuitt did say he left practice early, but did not go into details on the potential injury, or the severity of the injury.

At this point this is simply a report, and could end up being absolutely nothing to worry about. Hargrave could have tweaked a knee and gone in to be evaluated, only to be found to be just fine. However, if the injury is more serious, it would be a huge dent into the team's depth along the defensive line, especially with Cameron Heyward nursing an ankle injury and his participation in the season opener very much up in the air.

Mike Tomlin will address the media on Tuesday, and will update any and all injuries heading into the Week 1 game. Until then, stay tuned to BTSC for the latest updates and news surrounding not just Hagrave's potential injury, but any news surrounding the black and gold.

UPDATE: Fellow NT Daniel McCullers updated what happened to Hargrave during today's practice.

McCuller says Hargrave "Felt a little tweak ... Hopefully its nothing serious and he'll back soon." #Steelers

— Chris Bradford (@BCTBradford) September 5, 2016

UPDATE: Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review gives some details on what he saw at Steelers practice.

I witnessed Javon Hargrave's knee injury. Didn't look promising, but who knows? It could be nothing and back on Wed. Have to wait and see

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) September 5, 2016

UPDATE: Jeremy Fowlers of ESPN states he has heard the injury is not serious, and Hargrave should be able to play Week 1. Although this is not official, it is encouraging news.

Nothing official but I’m hearing Steelers DT Javon Hargrave’s injury not expected to be serious. Hoping to play Week 1

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 5, 2016