Kyle Dugger Fantasy Stats

The New England Patriots traded safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday. In exchange, New England will get a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for Dugger and a 2026 seventh-round selection. This seems like a solid low-risk move for the Steelers. Dugger lost his starting gig in New England after only four games, but he will get another chance in Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old is only a few years removed from a 109-tackle season. The veteran safety should give this defense a boost for a fairly low price.

The New England Patriots are shopping fifth-year safety Kyle Dugger, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. Despite starting in all 45 of his appearances in the previous three seasons and signing a four-year, $58 million extension in April 2024, Dugger has been working with the second-team defense under a new regime this summer. The Patriots could go with Jabrill Peppers and either Jaylinn Hawkins or Craig Woodson as their starting safety tandem if Dugger stays on the bench or ends up elsewhere. However, finding a trade partner for Dugger may not be easy. His 2025 base salary of $9.75 million is guaranteed, and he didn't play well last season. The 29-year-old appeared in 13 games and went without an interception for the first time since 2020, his rookie campaign, and Pro Football Focus ranked his performance 157th out of 171 qualified safeties. It's worth noting that Dugger played through a right-ankle injury that required offseason surgery. Dugger is now fully healed, and if the Patriots are serious about getting rid of him, they'll have to hope another team sees him as a viable bounce-back candidate in its defensive system.

The New England Patriots have been open to trading safety Kyle Dugger, who has seen a reduced role during training camp, sources told FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Dugger is still viewed as a talented and impactful player, and there are several teams where he'd be a much better scheme fit in the secondary. His contract will complicate any potential deal, though, and a source said that the Patriots would "likely need to eat money just to make it a conversation." The 29-year-old former second-rounder (37th overall) in 2020 out of Lenoir-Rhyne has had at least 78 combined tackles in each of the last four years, but he graded out as one of the worst coverage safeties in the league in 2024 and has been demoted to the second-team defense in New England this year under new head coach Mike Vrabel. Dugger could return to fantasy relevance in IDP leagues if he's traded to a team where he'll be a starter again.

According to NFL.com and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, veteran safety Kyle Dugger has been demoted to the second-team defense. Dugger signed a four-year, $58 million contract last offseason, but Vrabel is not tied to decisions from previous coaching staffs. When asked how Dugger can win his starting job back, Vrabel said, "Just making sure that he's where he needs to be and understanding the coverage concepts and everything we do. A lot of this is that guys have earned the right to take a look with that first unit and, again, there will be different lineups and different things. Just focus on the reps that you get right now." It sounds like the 29-year-old has been outplayed by other safeties this offseason, and Vrabel is attempting to motivate him to work his way back. In 74 career games since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Dugger has tallied 424 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, nine interceptions, and 24 pass deflections.

The Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan reports that New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) recently had surgery for a high-ankle sprain that was initially misdiagnosed earlier this season. Dugger had tightrope surgery on Jan. 9 to re-stabilize his right ankle that progressively worsened during the 2024 season. He was initially diagnosed with a mild sprain in late September and he was later told he was dealing with a bone bruise. Dugger's ankle injury led to a career-high 13 missed tackles while he also graded out as the third-worst safety in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. Normally a starting-caliber defensive back in IDP fantasy leagues, Dugger didn't even register in the top 50 at his position in overall points by the end of the year. With better health in 2025, though, Dugger could easily bounce back for a Pats D under new head coach Mike Vrabel.

New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (ankle, quadriceps) is officially active for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. However, the team already ruled out cornerback Christian Gonzalez (concussion) after he suffered a concussion in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Dugger has battled multiple lower-body injuries throughout the year but has mostly played through his ailments. Although the Patriots defense probably has more upside this weekend than they have all year with key starters on the Bills offense to play very little on Sunday, fantasy managers should continue to avoid their defense/special teams unit. In his fifth season with New England, Dugger enters the regular-season finale with 79 tackles (53 solo), one sack, eight tackles for loss, four pass breakups and a forced fumble in 12 starts.

New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (ankle, quadriceps) is officially active on Saturday as the team gets prepared to face the visiting Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17. Meanwhile, free safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) has been ruled out. Dugger continues to play through an ankle injury and recently picked up a quad issue, but he will be active as the Pats look to pull the upset on a Chargers team looking to lock themselves into a wild-card spot in the AFC. The 28-year-old Dugger has 70 tackles (47 solo), one sack, eight tackles for loss, four pass breakups and a forced fumble in 11 starts for the Pats this year and is in play as a starting defensive back in IDP fantasy leagues this weekend now that he's officially active. Peppers will be missing his second straight game and will give way to Dell Pettus and Marte Mapu in New England's secondary.

New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) is active, while safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's divisional tilt against the Buffalo Bills. Dugger opened the week as a non-participant but was able to log two limited sessions to conclude the week. Peppers popped up on the injury report on Friday and will set his sights on returning in Week 17. Dugger should be expected to operate in his typical starting role, while Dell Pettus will likely take over Peppers' role at free safety. The Patriots defense should not be viewed as a streaming option facing a potent Buffalo offense.

New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) and cornerback Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) are active for Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals. Both players had been listed as questionable after logging limited practices all week long. Dugger has appeared in nine games this season, compiling 50 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. Meanwhile, Gonzalez has continued to emerge as an impactful starting cornerback with his 55 tackles, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery. Having both players available is a huge development for the Patriots as they take on the Cardinals this Sunday.

New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) and cornerback Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) are both listed as questionable to play in Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals. In addition, defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (foot) is out and defensive tackle Christian Barmore (undisclosed) is questionable. It's been an injury-plagued year for Dugger, 28, although he has been active for each of the team's last three contests. After a career-high 109 combined tackles in 2023, Dugger has 52 tackles (35 solo) in nine games in 2024 and could be considered as a starting defensive back in IDP fantasy formats. Gonzalez, 22, should be available this weekend, although he's not much of an option in IDP leagues. The former first-rounder in 2023 has 55 tackles (46 solo), two picks, eight pass breakups and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in his 13 starts.