The Pittsburgh Steelers may welcome back safety Kyle Dugger as he recovers from a hand injury, potentially allowing him to play against the Miami Dolphins on Monday. Head coach Mike Tomlin has indicated that Dugger is in good condition to return, which would significantly boost a defense that has faced numerous injuries in recent weeks.
Dugger was filling in for starting strong safety DeShon Elliott, who sustained a serious knee injury in October during a game against the Green Bay Packers. Elliott is expected to miss the remainder of the season. In Dugger”s absence, the Steelers turned to Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers to start alongside cornerback Jalen Ramsey last Sunday.
After signing a four-year extension with the New England Patriots, Dugger fell out of favor with the team and had his contract amended to void after the 2025 season. Throughout his career, he has made 69 starts and participated in 81 games as both a dimebacker and strong safety. At 29 years old, Dugger had a notable pick-six against the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this season.
Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 210 pounds, Dugger showcased impressive speed with a 4.49-second 40-yard dash when he entered the NFL from Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina in 2020. His strong performance at safety has been invaluable to the Steelers, and the team is eager to regain the stability he and Ramsey have provided in the secondary upon his return.
This update on Dugger comes amid a series of other injury developments for the Steelers, including news about DK Metcalf and rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, who may also see action after recovering from injuries.
As the Steelers prepare for their upcoming matchup, they will don their color rush uniforms against the Dolphins, adding an extra layer of excitement to the game.
