Dugger recorded three tackles (all solo) and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown, in Sunday's 34-12 win over Cincinnati.
With Pittsburgh ahead by just four points and the Bengals driving late in the third quarter, Dugger intercepted a Joe Flacco pass intended for Tee Higgins and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown. It was Dugger's first pickoff as a member of the Steelers and his first touchdown since he scored three times with New England in 2022. Since being traded to Pittsburgh on Oct. 28, Dugger has posted 12 tackles and two defensed passes over three contests.
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Steelers' Kyle Dugger: Logs full practice Thursday
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Dugger (knee) fully participated in practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Dugger missed this past Sunday's game against Cleveland due to a knee issue. He was then traded from New England to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Dugger's ability to log a full session Thursday suggests he's healthy enough to play Sunday against Indianapolis, but he may not have had enough time to get fully up to speed with Pittsburgh's playbook. Mike DeFabo of The Athletic mentions that the Steelers have a "contingency plan" at strong safety if Dugger isn't ready for a full workload.
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Steelers' Kyle Dugger: Heads to Pittsburgh
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The Steelers acquired Dugger (knee) and a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Patriots in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
After starting all 13 regular-season games in which he appeared last season, Dugger fell out of favor under the new coaching staff in New England and logged just 44 percent of the defensive snaps across the first seven weeks of the season before being inactive with a knee injury in Week 8. With DeShon Elliott (knee) looking at a multiweek absence, the Steelers needed another safety. Dugger joins Chuck Clark, Jabrill Peppers and Juan Thornhill at the position in Pittsburgh.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Inactive for Week 8
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Dugger (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Dugger appeared to sustain a knee injury during Week 8 prep, which limited his practice participation Thursday and Friday, and will ultimately sideline him for Sunday's home game. Dugger's absence means Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler and Richie Grant will serve as the Patriots' depth options at safety behind Craig Woodson and Jaylinn Hawkins. Dugger will look to progress enough in his recovery to return for Week 9 against the Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 2.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: In line to start Week 6
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Dugger is slated to start at safety against the Saints on Sunday due to the absence of Jaylinn Hawkins (hamstring), Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Dugger played just one defensive snap and seven snaps on special teams during the Patriots' Week 5 win over the Bills. However, the 2020 second-rounder appears to be in line to work with the Patriots' starting defense in the absence of Hawkins. Dugger has 12 tackles (five solo) through five regular-season games this year.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Limited Wednesday
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Dugger (ankle) was limited during Wednesday's voluntary OTAs, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.
Dugger underwent offseason ankle surgery, so it's no surprise he's a limited participant during New England's voluntary OTAs. The Lenoir-Rhyne product is one of the Patriots' most impactful defenders, recording 81 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, four passes defended and one forced fumble across 13 games in 2024. Once Dugger returns to full health, he's expected to serve as the team's top strong safety.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Will play against Buffalo
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Dugger (ankle/quadriceps) is active for Sunday's game against the Bills.
Like he's done for most of the season, Dugger will play Sunday through multiple lower-body injuries and will start at safety alongside Marte Mapu. Dugger has logged 27 tackles (18 solo) in the three games since the Patriots' Week 14 bye.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Questionable for Week 18
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Dugger (ankle/quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.
Dugger has spent much of the 2024 season on the Patriots' injury report but hasn't missed a game since Week 10. He enters the Week 18 finale with 79 tackles (53 solo), including eight TFLs and 1.0 sacks, four pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Listed as questionable for Week 17
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Dugger (ankle/quadriceps) is questionable to play against the Chargers on Saturday after logging a limited practice Thursday.
Dugger has been able to play through an ankle injury during the Patriots' last five games, and over that span he accumulated 35 tackles (21 solo) and two pass defenses. Thursday's session was the only practice Dugger was able to participate in during Week 17 prep, so his official status for Saturday's game might not be known until New England releases its inactive players list about 90 minutes before the 1:00 p.m. kickoff. Jaylinn Hawkins and Marte Mapu would be in line for increased snaps at safety if either or both of Dugger and Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) were unable to play.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Playing against Buffalo
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Dugger (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Bills.
Dugger has been working through an ankle injury for several weeks, but it won't prevent him from playing in Sunday's AFC East clash. Over his last four games, Dugger has logged 27 tackles (15 solo) and two pass defenses.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Questionable for Week 16
Rotowire
Dugger (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills.
Dugger has been playing through the ankle injury for weeks, and Sunday should be no different after he again practiced on a limited basis. Through 10 games this season, Dugger has 62 tackles (41 solo), including seven TFLs and 1.0 sacks, four pass breakups and one forced fumble.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Logs limited practice
Rotowire
Dugger (ankle/illness) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Dugger was sidelined for Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury and illness, but it appears he is progressing through both issues as he was able to practice in a limited capacity Thursday. A full practice Friday would give him a good shot at avoiding an injury designation heading into Sunday's game against Buffalo.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Dealing with ankle injury
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Dugger did not practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Dugger was the leading tackler for the Patriots' in their 30-17 loss to the Cardinals this past Sunday, finishing with 10 tackles (six solo) while playing every single defensive tackle. However, it appears he picked up an ankle injury in the process, and he will have two more chances this week to practice ahead of Sunday's AFC East clash against the Bills. Over his last four outings, Dugger has logged 27 tackles (15 solo) and two pass defenses.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Fine day in close loss
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Dugger recorded eight tackles (five solo) and a pass defensed during Sunday's 25-24 loss versus the Colts.
Dugger played all 58 of New England's defensive snaps in Week 13, and he came away with his highest tackle total since Week 7 at Jacksonville. He hasn't been quite as productive this season as he was last year, but he's done enough to place himself on the fringes of the IDP radar for the fantasy playoffs after the Patriots' bye in Week 14.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Questionable for Sunday
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Dugger (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins.
Dugger practiced in a limited fashion throughout the week after playing through his ankle issue in the Patriots' Week 11 loss to the Rams. If the 28-year-old's injury worsened and he's unable to suit up for the Week 12 divisional matchup, Jaylinn Hawkins will likely serve as New England's top strong safety.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Limited Wednesday
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Dugger (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Dugger returned to the field for Sunday's loss to the Rams after a three-game absence due to an ankle injury, recording three total tackles while playing 100 percent of the Patriots' defensive snaps. This suggests that Wednesday's limited session is likely precautionary, and the Lenoir-Rhyne product is expected to suit up for the Week 12 divisional matchup against the Dolphins unless he downgrades to no participation Thursday or Friday.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Good to go vs. Rams
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Dugger (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Rams, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Dugger was a limited practice participant all week, and he will return Sunday from a three-game absence due to an ankle injury. Dugger will reclaim his starting spot at strong safety and will solidify the Patriots' secondary against a Rams' offense that didn't score a touchdown in Week 10 against the Dolphins.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Will miss Week 9
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Dugger (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's tilt against Tennessee.
Dugger was a late addition to the injury report last weekend and will now miss his second straight game due to the issue. He did manage a trio of limited sessions in practice this week, which suggests he has a chance to return to action next Sunday versus Chicago. Jaylinn Hawkins is likely to start at strong safety against the Titans in Dugger's stead Sunday.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Will miss Week 8
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Dugger (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
Dugger was a late addition to New England's injury report, as he practiced in full both Thursday and Friday before getting added to the report with a questionable tage Saturday. The severity of his ankle issue isn't clear, but the injury is going to sideline him for at least Sunday's AFC East clash. Dugger's absence will be a significant blow to the Patriots' secondary, as the safety logged 100 percent of the team's defensive snaps in five of the team's seven contests coming into Week 8. When Dugger was sidelined Week 5 against Miami, Jaylinn Hawkins stepped into a starting role, which will likely be the case again Sunday.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Questionable to face Jets
Rotowire
Dugger (ankle) has been added to the Patriots' injury report Saturday and is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Dugger missed Week 5 due to an ankle injury, and the same issue may have now resurfaced. Jaylinn Hawkins played 95 percent of defensive snaps Week 5, so if Dugger ends up missing any more time, New England has already signaled which player will inherit an every-down role in his stead.
