Nov 13, 2014 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – When the Steelers selected defensive linemen Stephon Tuitt and Daniel McCullers in this year’s draft, it was assumed Tuitt would be the guy most likely to play this season, while McCullers was viewed as more of a project.

That has largely been the case, as Tuitt, a second-round pick, was active for every game and a key reserve, while McCullers, a sixth-round selection, appeared in just three games.

That will change Monday night at Tennessee, where McCullers is expected to get his first career start in place of injured Steve McLendon when the Steelers (6-4) take on the Titans (2-7).

“He is going to start this week,” assistant head coach/defensive line John Mitchell told Steelers Nation Radio Thursday. “He is excited about it. We are excited about it.”

There’s plenty to be excited about. Of course, when you’re known as “Big Dan,” in a locker room full of large men, there’s a reason.

For McCullers, that reason is because he’s 6-7, 352 pounds.

“I think most of our young players have made good progress and he’s in that category,” said Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. “He’s learning the techniques necessary to play in the National Football League. He was the biggest guy in the draft, so size has never been a problem for him. He’s got a lot of strength, and I think he’s got a good future. He’s a good, hard-working young man. We’re pleased to have him.”

McCullers, who will be making a homecoming of sorts after playing collegiately at Tennessee, was on the field for 25 defensive snaps this season, including a season-high 11 in last week’s 20-13 loss against the New York Jets. He recorded just one tackle, but did a good job at his main duty, taking on multiple blockers on the interior.

“You can’t move him,” McLendon told Steelers.com. “He is way bigger than most guys. That is going to help if they try to run the ball downhill on us. Double teams won’t be able to move him. He has strong hands and long arms. He just has to keep doing the little things, pad level, quick hands and make sure he is moving his feet and run to the ball.”

For McCullers, keeping his pad level low is the biggest issue.

But when you’re 6-7, low is a relative thing.

“It’s hard for me to do it,” McCullers said. “I just have to bend. When I do it, I can be pretty good. I have to continue to work on staying low, my technique. I am just working every day on staying low, using my hands, learning the system, plays to be in the right place at the right time. I feel like I am doing pretty good.”

McCullers would be the third rookie to start a game for the Steelers this season, joining linebacker Ryan Shazier and wide receiver Martavis Bryant.

Shazier, the team’s top draft pick, has been limited to five games because of knee and ankle injuries. Bryant, a fourth-round pick, was inactive for the team’s first six games but made 14 receptions for 310 yards and six touchdowns in the past four games.

“We feel pretty comfortable about the ability to grow and develop those guys,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “That was Antonio Brown, who missed about nine games or so his rookie year, but was a critical part of our playoff run in his rookie season. I have an image of him running down the field with the ball attached to his head in the playoffs his rookie year. He did a lot of watching in a similar manner.”

In addition to McLendon, Shazier (ankle) and safety Troy Polamalu (knee) did not practice Thursday because of injury. … Cornerback Ike Taylor (forearm) and safety Shamarko Thomas (hamstring) were limited in practice, while safety Ross Ventrone (hamstring) was a full participant. … Tennessee tight end Delanie Walker, the team’s second-leading receiver, has not cleared concussion tests and did not practice Thursday. Walker suffered a concussion in last week’s 21-7 loss at Baltimore.