Jabrill

Peppers

Peppers, released by the Pats in August, will join a Steelers secondary that was ripped by Justin Fields in Week 1. They’ll be without S DeShon Elliott for at least a couple weeks after Elliott injured his knee against the Jets. The 29-year-old safety started 26 games over the last three seasons with the Patriots. In 2024, Peppers had 20 solo tackles and two tackles for a loss. He has seven interceptions over eight NFL seasons. Peppers will likely be a rotational player for the Steelers if he suits up in Week 2.

Peppers has $4.32 million in guaranteed money remaining on his contract for this season. The 29-year-old safety started 26 games over the last three seasons with the Patriots. New England could be looking to start Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson now, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Peppers previously spent time on the Commissioner Exempt List in relation to these incidents, sideling him for sevens games. He also missed time late in the season with a hamstring issue. All in, Peppers appeared in just six games in 2024. He tallied two pass breakups and one interception. He is under contract with the Patriots for two more seasons

Peppers is out after being listed questionable for Week 17 due to a hamstring injury. Fellow safety Kyle Dugger (ankle/quad) is active. Center Ben Brown (concussion) will also miss Week 17 while Joe Milton serves as the Patriots’ emergency third quarterback.

Duggar did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday but was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday. The veteran safety played through an ankle injury in last week’s loss to the Bills, but the quad injury appears to be something new. In addition to Duggaer, the Patriots also listed safety Jabrill Peppers, LB Sione Takitaki, and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace as questionable, while ruling out cornerback Marcus Jones (hip).

The Patriots also declared CB Marcus Jones, G Tyrese Robinson, OL Lecitus Smith, QB Joe Milton III (3rd QB) and RB JaMycal Hasty inactive. Peppers and Jones are notable losses for the Patriots’ starting DB group. Fellow starting S Kyle Dugger (ankle/illness) will suit up after practicing in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday. The Bills’ passing offense should still be able to pick on the Patriots’ short-staffed secondary though.

Dugger closed the week with two limited sessions, putting him on the right side of questionable as Sunday approaches. Fellow starting safety Jabrill Peppers is also listed as questionable for Week 16. Healthy or not, the Patriots will be easy targets for Josh Allen and a red-hot Bills offense. Allen remains the QB1 overall heading into Week 16.

Peppers may not practice with the team or attend games while on the exempt list. The veteran safety was arrested last weekend and is facing charges of assault, strangulation, and drug possession.

According to police, Peppers was arrested after officers responded to a disturbance at a home during an altercation between two people. Khait also reports Peppers is believed to have been in possession of a class “B” substance that is thought to be Cocaine. Peppers, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, did not play in the team’s Week 5 loss to the Dolphins, and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. The Patriots released a statement saying they are aware of the investigation and have no additional comment at this time.

The Patriots are likely to be without both starting safeties this week as Kyle Duggar (ankle) hasn’t practiced all week. Miami’s passing game has struggled without Tua Tagovailoa, but this matchup is looking advantageous at the moment.