IRVING, Texas -- Defensive tackle Terrell McClain had to watch last week's season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, but he anticipates making his Dallas Cowboys' debut Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
McClain has been slowed most of the summer with a high ankle sprain but he was able to return to practice last week. He does not believe it will take a lot of time to get acclimated to game action, but he expects to be worked into the lineup slowly.
"The conditioning part's not going to be a problem," McClain said. "It's just getting my ankle back and the movements I'm doing that will probably be the biggest thing."
McClain had an impressive spring, working mostly with the starters as Melton worked his way back from knee surgery, but he was hurt the first day of full-padded practices in Oxnard, California. Defensive end George Selvie was McClain's teammate at South Florida and knows him better than anybody.
"He can get after it," Selvie said. "He can get penetration, get up the field, make some plays. That's what you need. You need some disruption and I think he can bring that to us."
The Titans ran 38 times for 162 yards in their Week 1 win against the Kansas City Chiefs. Shonn Greene led Tennessee with 71 yards on 15 carries.
"I expect to get a little more of the plays against the run than the pass because I feel like with pass rush it might be a little more difficult to get back into because of the injury," McClain said, "but I feel I'll be able to come in and help the team out."
And experience his personal season-opener feelings in Week 2.
"I'm saving it up," he said. "It'll be the same for every game. I've been holding it in for the longest. I'm just ready to let it all out."