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Kelvin Beachum to start at center against Bengals in Week 2

The second-year offensive lineman will start at the third different position in his 17-game NFL career when the Steelers take on Cincinnati on Monday Night Football.

By Neal Coolong
Justin K. Aller

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Kelvin Beachum will start at center in Week 2, when the Steelers travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals on Monday Night Football.

The Steelers lost starter Maurkice Pouncey for the season when he tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee against Tennessee in Week 1. Beachum replaced Pouncey, who was injured just eight plays into the game.

Fernando Velasco was signed to the roster Monday, but the Steelers are going with Beachum, the second-year player who had not played center in a game at any point of his football career before Sunday.

Beachum didn't fare particularly well during the game, having been handled by Titans defensive tackle Jurell Casey. The Steelers rushed for 32 yards and had less than 200 total yards in the game. They allowed five sacks of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The Bengals (0-1) have one of the game's best defensive front sevens, anchored by DT Geno Atkins, who's arguably the best interior defensive lineman in football.

With an extra day to prepare, though, Beachum won't be thrown into the fire the way he was against Tennessee. It's difficult to handle Atkins after five weeks of preparation, though.

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