Safety Kyle Dugger officially joined the Steelers on Thursday. On Sunday, he was in the starting lineup.
For the new addition’s efforts in Pittsburgh’s 27-20 win over the Colts, Steelers head coach Mike
Tomlin awarded Dugger a game ball.
“Can’t say enough about Kyle Dugger,” Tomlin said in his postgame press conference. “Just gave him a game ball in there. This guy got on a moving train, man, and played a lot of defense for us today. And we needed it. We were really short at the safety position — coupled with (DeShon) Elliott’s injury, we had some illnesses and some soft tissue injuries. We were running super thin. and that dude came in here and gave us some quality work. And we were certainly appreciative of that.”
Dugger finished the game with four total tackles, playing 72 of 73 possible defensive snaps per PFF. He was acquired in a midweek trade from the Patriots that was reported Tuesday and made official on Thursday.
Pittsburgh sent a 2026 sixth rounder to New England for Dugger and a seventh. Reportedly, the Patriots will be paying most of Dugger’s remaining contract.
Dugger had started 69 career games with the Patriots before the trade. On Sunday, he was part of the Steelers’ starting duo alongside veteran defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
“He’s a veteran guy,” Tomlin said of Dugger in response to a later question. “And that’s why you go get a veteran, capable guy like that. It’s reminiscent of when we acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick, to be quite honest with you.”
