On Sept. 30, 2001, the Steelers played Buffalo at Ralph Wilson Stadium. In the their first game after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, they beat the Bills for the first of five consecutive victories en route to a 13-3 record and an AFC Central Division title.
That day more than 13 years ago also is noteworthy for another reason. It was the most recent time the Steelers started a rookie defensive end.
That long drought will end Monday night against the Houston Texans when second-round draft pick Stephon Tuitt makes his first NFL start.
Tuitt, a 6-foot-5, 303-pounder from Notre Dame, will get the nod because of an injury to nose tackle Steve McLendon. Starting defensive end Cam Thomas will move to nose tackle, and Tuitt will take Thomas’ place at defensive end.
“He has great raw material — tremendous size and tremendous athletic ability,” defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said. “He’s going to be a good player...............
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