Kyle

Dugger

Dugger was a full-time starter for years in New England before falling out of favor under new head coach Mike Vrabel, starting four of seven games before the Patriots traded him to the Steelers. Now the 30-year-old safety is on his way to Cincinnati, where he’ll presumably start once again. Dugger had 59 total tackles, five passes defended and two interceptions in 16 games (13 starts) in 2025.

The Patriots continue to deal defensive players that have fallen out of favor in their current scheme, sending Dugger to the Steelers just minutes after sending Keion White to the 49ers. Both deals were structured the same, with the Pats swapping late-round picks in exchange for giving up the defensive player. Dugger had started all 45 games played for the Patriots from 2022-2024, but started four out of seven games played this season. The veteran has nine career interceptions, 24 passes defended, and 25 tackles for loss over a six-year career. The Steelers had a need at safety with DeShon Elliott week-to-week due to a knee injury suffered in Week 8. Dugger will mix into a Steelers secondary that needs improvement if they are to make a playoff push.

Dugger is set to miss Week 8 with a knee issue that kept him limited in practice and landed him with a questionable tag heading into Sunday. Meanwhile, White is a surprise healthy scratch. Both White and Dugger could be on the trade block ahead of the November 4th trade deadline, but for now the Pats make both inactive against the Browns.

Rapoport’s report backs up what Jordan Schultz reported on August 20. The Patriots’ new coaching staff is hoping to move on from Dugger. Earlier today, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that it has been a “challenging year” for Dugger, who underwent offseason ankle surgery and has played “deep into preseason games” this month.

Schultz said the Patriots are keen on getting rid of Dugger ahead of the regular season, and are willing to eat part of his hefty contract to get a deal done. Dugger has been unhappy with his reduced role this offseason. There are several teams interested in acquiring Dugger, graded by Pro Football Focus in 2024 as the league’s fourth worst safety. Dugger last year allowed a completion on 79 percent of the passes that came his way. There’s a good chance he’s on another roster by Week 1.

Dugger was playing deep into the fourth quarter with third-stringers in New England’s second preseason game, and he finished 2024 with a ghastly 34.8 PFF coverage grade — by far the worst of his five-year career. The Patriots wouldn’t get much cap relief from releasing Duggar, who is making $14.5 million a season, but Graff believes “they might do it anyway.”

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.

S Kyle Dugger (knee) is active. Even with the Pats shaking up their receiver corps, including cutting Tyquan Thornton, veteran Osborn can’t get on the field. The 27-year-old seems like he could be a backup slot asset in a more pass-heavy offense, but pass-heavy this attack is not.