Daniel McCullers Terminates Practice Squad Contract with Steelers, 4 Others Protected

Steelers nose tackle Daniel McCullers has terminated his contract from the team’s practice squad, while four other practice squad players had their contracts protected by the team.

McCullers, 28, was the Steelers’ sixth-round draft pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and had spent the previous six seasons with the team, playing in 73 and making three starts while amassing 41 career tackles, four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

The 6-foot-7, 352-pound nose tackle was a somewhat surprising cut for the Steelers after training camp this season, losing his spot on the 53-man roster to rookie Carlos Davis.

McCullers was immediately signed to the Steelers’ practice squad and had been there since requesting his release on Tuesday. He is now free to sign with any team, to their active roster or practice squad.

The Steelers protected practice squad members wide receiver Deon Cain, linebacker Jayrone Elliott, defensive end Henry Mondeaux and running back Wendell Smallwood. Those players will remain on the Steelers’ practice squad through the week and cannot be signed by another team.

Without McCullers, the Steelers have one empty spot on their 16-man practice squad in advance of this Sunday’s Week 3 visit from the Houston Texans.