As the Patriots offseason unfolded, one of the biggest surprises came when Kyle Dugger was on the field late into the fourth quarter in the team’s second preseason game in Minnesota.
A year removed from signing a 4-year, $58 million contract extension, Dugger entered this summer with the second-highest cap hit on the Patriots roster at $15.26 million. As training camp went on, Dugger fell down the depth chart behind Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, and Craig Woodson.
On Thursday night, in the Patriots preseason finale, Dugger once again played in the second half with bubble players. After the game, the 29-year-old said he wasn’t anxious about cut-down day, which is on Tuesday.
“Nah. Things are going to go, how they’re going to go,” Dugger told reporters in East Rutherford, N.J. “Trusting God in it and I’m going to take opportunities I have to continue to get better. Like I said, get back to playing fast.”
When asked if he’s had conversations with the coaching staff about why he’s playing late into preseason games, Dugger replied, “Nah, there hasn’t been.”
Against the Giants, Dugger had a strong showing, finishing with his second interception in the past two preseason games.
Afterward, Mike Vrabel said Dugger had a lengthy rehab process this offseason and noticed improvement this summer. Dugger finished with an interception, two passes defended, and six tackles against the New York Giants.
“I think he’s continued to take advantage of the opportunities and the reps. I think he’s feeling more comfortable,” Vrabel told reporters. “We talked about a long rehab process in the offseason that he committed to. But it wasn’t a quick rehab process. He had surgery. I think that he’s gotten better. I think he’s improved. I think he’s feeling better. It looks like he’s feeling better on tape. That’s good to see. Those are all positive things - make a play, two interceptions.
“I thought he flashed. I thought he triggered. I thought he tackled. I thought his length showed up - all these things. And we didn’t blitz anybody tonight. We didn’t do any of that. Just playing in our base scheme and those things I thought showed up tonight.”
In New York, the Patriots rested Hawkins, but started Peppers and Woodson. When their night was over, in the second quarter, Dugger entered and immediately made an impact.
In the first series he played, Dugger intercepted Jameis Winston in the end zone, broke up a pass in the end zone, and made three tackles.
In three preseason games, Dugger finished with 13 tackles, three passes defended, and two interceptions.
Drafted in the second round in 2020, Dugger has been a mainstay in the Patriots secondary since 2021. He’s started every game played over the last three seasons in New England. Last year, however, he played through an ankle injury that limited him to 13 games and required surgery.
When asked about his performance, Dugger told reporters, “I got a lot of work to do. A lot of room for improvement. That’s what I’m focused on.”
Dugger then said he wasn’t happy with the way he’s played this preseason.
“Nah,” said the veteran. “I have a lot more to improve on. I’m going to keep working to do that.”
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