Patriots
“Whereas Dugger thrived in New England and finally earned a 4-year, $58M contract extension, the brand new workers seems to view him otherwise.”
Kyle Dugger’s tenure in Foxborough is perhaps coming to an in depth.
In response to NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are “purchasing” Dugger forward of Tuesday’s deadline of slicing the roster all the way down to 53 gamers.
“Whereas Dugger thrived in New England and finally earned a 4-year, $58M contract extension, the brand new workers seems to view him otherwise,” Rapoport posted on X Sunday. “He’s performed deep into preseason video games.”
As Rapoport famous, Dugger’s utilization has shifted up to now this summer season as Mike Vrabel and new defensive coordinator Terrell Williams have augmented New England’s protection.
A longtime starter in New England ever for the reason that staff drafted him within the second spherical of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Lenoir–Rhyne, Dugger has seen his inventory plummet on the Patriots’ depth chart over the previous couple of weeks.
As of late, Dugger has primarily logged reps with each the second-team and scout-team defensive models throughout practices — whereas additionally taking part in nicely into the fourth quarter throughout New England’s preseason video games towards the Vikings and Giants.
Dugger did fare nicely in these preseason outings with a pair of interceptions — together with a number of go breakups throughout that street matchup towards New York. Nonetheless, it wasn’t a superb signal that a longtime veteran in Dugger was taking part in alongside a number of Patriots gamers who’re probably set to get reduce earlier than Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
“I strive not to consider it,” Dugger mentioned Thursday of his unsure spot on New England’s roster. “I attempt to use the alternatives that I’ve to get again to taking part in quick and getting these reps.”
This isn’t the primary time that Dugger has been linked to commerce rumors this preseason, as Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reported final week that each Dugger and linebacker Anfernee Jennings were available in a trade.
Talking forward of Thursday’s recreation towards New York, Vrabel pushed again when requested by 98.5 The Sports activities Hub’s Scott Zolak about these commerce rumors.
“I don’t know, you reported a number of issues that will not have been true,” Vrabel told 98.5’s Scott Zolak, according to MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “So I wouldn’t put a number of inventory within the studies that go round. You realize that higher than anyone.”
Even with Dugger’s clear slide down the depth chart, Vrabel did acknowledge after that lopsided loss to the Giants that Dugger has impressed throughout preseason motion.
“I feel he has continued to make the most of the alternatives and the reps. I feel he’s starting to really feel extra snug,” Vrabel said. “We talked a few lengthy rehab course of within the offseason that he dedicated to, but it surely wasn’t a fast rehab course of. He had surgical procedure.
“I feel that he’s gotten higher. I feel he’s improved,” the coach added. “I feel he’s feeling higher. It appears to be like like he’s feeling higher on tape. That’s good to see. These are all optimistic issues.”
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