PITTSBURGH — As the NFL Draft wore on earlier this year, the restlessness of the Steelers' fans was palpable: When was the team going to select a cornerback?
Not in the first round. That's where the Steelers selected outside linebacker T.J. Watt.
And not in the second round. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was the pick there, much to the chagrin of many who felt the Steelers were passing on too many good defensive backs.
Finally, in the third round, with the 94th selection, the Steelers turned in a card that read: Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee.
Still, for most of this season, Sutton has been a forgotten man, one who landed on injured reserve to open the season because of a hamstring injury. He was activated off injured reserve following the Steelers' win Nov. 16 against Tennessee, but had no defined role, even with starter Joe Haden out with a fractured fibula.
Now, just four weeks later, Sutton finds himself likely to take center stage when the Steelers (11-2) play their biggest regular season game of the season when they host New England (10-3) Sunday at Heinz Field.
With Haden, who refused to speak to reporters Friday, officially listed as questionable after being limited in practice, and backup Coty Sensabaugh dealing with a shoulder injury, Sutton is prepared to make his first career start.
Against the Patriots.
Welcome to the NFL, kid.
"I hope so," Sutton said Friday when asked if he's going to start. "Just get the job done, that’s it."
Against Tom Brady and company, that could be easier said than done. But Sutton has been tested already this season. When Sensabaugh was struggling two weeks ago in a 23-20 win at Cincinnati, he was pulled at halftime and replaced by Sutton. The Bengals immediately recognized that and went after the rookie. On his first snap. To All-Pro receiver A.J. Green, who had beaten Sensabaugh for seven first-half catches and two touchdowns. Sutton, locked in one-on-one coverage, broke up the play and was part of an effort that helped hold Green without a reception in the second half.
It's a big reason why he won't be intimidated Sunday.
"A.J. has been doing it in this league for a long time," Sutton said. "Going up against a guy the caliber of that definitely prepares you."
We'll certainly see about that.
Sutton split time with Sensabaugh last week in a 39-38 win over Baltimore, with Sensabaugh starting and playing the first and third quarters and Sutton being on the field in the second and fourth periods. All told, he played 29 snaps compared to 35 for Sensabaugh and finished the game with two tackles. Sensabaugh had four.
With that rotation playing opposite him, Artie Burns didn't see much action against the Ravens. He had four passes thrown his way, breaking up one and getting called for two questionable pass interference penalties. But he feels Sutton will be ready to go if called upon.
"I thought that we did a good job, overall," Burns said. "We gave up some yards, but we also came up with the stops when we needed them. I thought Cam did a good job in there."
Joe Flacco completed 20 of 35 passes for 269 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. And Sutton was nearly victimized late in the game when Jeremy Maclin ran a deep out on him with 15 seconds remaining, stepping out of bounds before catching the ball.
But Sutton knows he's not going to be perfect out there, especially against Brady.
"I anticipate them following their game plan and throwing the ball to guys, just really playing their game, not targeting me," Sutton said. "They’re going to have their plays, have their moments. You’ve just got to be locked in."
That focus and ability to learn is what kept Sutton alive in the Steelers plans this season. It would have been easy for him to fall out of favor when he was injured. But Sutton kept his head in the playbook and continued to learn at practice.
"He is a very sharp young man," Keith Butler said. "He picks up stuff well and he’s very situational aware. He’s still got a lot to learn but we like what we’ve seen from him."
The Steelers just hope a lot of that learning -- in a bad way -- doesn't happen Sunday. But for a guy who has played just 53 career NFL snaps could be seeing plenty of playing time on the biggest stage the Steelers have played on this season, they also hope the moment isn't too big.
The Patriots figure to test him. But with Sutton having played so little, there's not a lot of film available for New England to break down his flaws, either.
"I guess you could have a pro and a con to that," Sutton said. "You’re just playing within the scheme, too. I think it’s more for a receiver standpoint if it’s a receiver talking about a DB because you get to see the release and stuff, how they come off the ball. Speaking for myself, I don’t have a lot of tape out there. I’m sure they have their game plan of what they want to accomplish out there."
So do the Steelers. And that plan includes winning this game and moving a step closer to locking down home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. It's a big game and a big moment not just for the Steelers, but for Sutton.
Watt, a starter since Day 1, has made plenty of them this season, including a game-ending sack last week against the Ravens. And Smith-Schuster, who is questionable to play in this game because of a hamstring injury, has been a major contributor, as well.
Now, it might be time for Sutton to make his mark.
"A lot of people don’t make it to this stage, so just having an opportunity to do that is big," Sutton said. "A game like this, everyone knows what’s at stake. We’re not going to sit here and act like we don’t know. A game like this, guys got to step up and make plays and be ready to go."
Dale Lolley is the veteran Steelers beat reporter for DKPittsburghSports.com.