Isaiah Buggs
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Former Steeler defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs at Heinz Field on November 8, 2021.
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Isaiah Buggs received more bad news on his status as an NFL player on Friday, Aug. 29 when he was suspended for the first 10 games of this season relating to several off-field legal issues. Buggs, a defensive lineman, is currently a free agent and hasn’t taken the field in the NFL since 2023 with the Detroit Lions.
Buggs two scandals have both been settled in court, the first being a cruelty to dogs charge, which was dismissed in April of this year. He also had domestic violence and burglary charges, which have been reduced to misdemeanor criminal trespassing as part of a plea agreement.
Buggs was last affiliated with an NFL franchise in 2024, when he was with the Kansas City Chiefs, but the Chiefs cut him after he was arrested in Alabama in June of 2024.
Buggs’ Playing Career
Buggs began his NFL career with the Steelers, where he played from 2019-2021. He appeared in 29 games, though he only started seven. He had 31 combined tackles and 14 solo tackles in his Pittsburgh career and didn’t register a sack.
Buggs then played the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Detroit Lions, where he started 16 games. He had slightly more success as a lion, registering one forced fumble and one sack in that time with 58 combined tackles and 28 solo tackles.
The 29-year-old last played football in the UFL last spring with the San Antonio Brahamas.
With limited success in his NFL career and being a high-risk target, it is entirely possible that Buggs has already played in his last NFL game.
College Career
Buggs was a standout at Alabama for two seasons after transferring in for his junior and senior years of college.
He was a major player in the Crimson Tide’s 2017 National Championship, registering 51 tackles, four tackles for losses and 1.5 sacks. He had a much better personal season as a senior though, making 14 tackles for a loss while registering 9.5 sacks.