Dugger (knee) fully participated in practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

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 be 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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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 multi-week absence, the Steelers needed another safety. Dugger joins Chuck Clark, Jabrill Peppers and Juan Thornhill at the position in Pittsburgh.

Dugger (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters that Dugger (knee) is questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Browns, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dugger likely sustained a knee injury at some point this week, as he popped up on New England's injury report Thursday as a limited practice participant. The 29-year-old started at strong safety in each of the Patriots' last two contests, recording five total tackles while Jaylinn Hawkins was sidelined with a hamstring injury. With Hawkins back to full health, Dugger is expected to operate as a reserve safety if available for Sunday's game.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Duggar (ankle) was a full partiicpant in New England's training camp session Wednesday, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duggar has now fully recovered from ankle surgery he underwent in January after having been limited during voluntary OTAs. The 29-year-old will look to build upon his strong season during the 2024 campaign, when he recorded 81 tackles (55 solo), with 1.0 sacks, despite being limited to just 13 games.

Dugger (ankle) was limited during Wednesday's voluntary OTAs, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Dugger played through a high-ankle sprain in 2024 and had surgery Jan. 9 to address the injury, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dugger's ankle injury likely contributed to his decline in production, as he dipped from 109 tackles in 2023 to 81 in 2024. The strong safety projects to be back in a starting role in 2025, which will be the second season of Dugger's four-year, $58 million contract.

Dugger finished the 2024 regular season with 81 tackles (55 solo), and 1.0 sacks in 13 games.

EDGE Analysis

After logging a career-high 109 tackles in 2023, 2020 second-rounder wasn't able to hit the century mark this past season, while missing four games. Dugger signed a four-year, $58 million deal with the Patriots in April, so he'll be back to reprise his starting safety role with the franchise in 2025.

Dugger (ankle/quadriceps) is active for Sunday's game against the Bills.

EDGE Analysis

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.