The Pittsburgh Steelers may be getting a key piece of their secondary back just in time for a critical matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Safety Kyle Dugger, who missed Sunday’s game against the Ravens with a hand injury, is trending in the right direction, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. If Dugger is able to suit up on Monday night, it would be a significant boost for a defense that’s been forced to reshuffle its back end due to a string of injuries.
Dugger has stepped into the starting strong safety role following DeShon Elliott’s season-ending knee injury back in October. Elliott went down during a game against the Packers, and the Steelers have been searching for consistency at the position ever since. Dugger, a physical, rangy defender with a nose for the football, has helped bring some of that stability - and his potential return couldn’t come at a better time.
With Dugger sidelined last week, Pittsburgh leaned on Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers to hold down the fort next to veteran Jalen Ramsey. While both are capable players, the chemistry Dugger has begun to build with Ramsey has been one of the more promising developments for this Steelers defense. Getting that tandem back on the field together would give Pittsburgh a better shot at slowing down Miami’s high-octane passing attack.
Dugger’s journey to Pittsburgh has been anything but conventional. After signing a four-year extension in New England, he found himself on the outs with the Patriots’ new regime just a year later.
The Steelers saw an opportunity, brought him in, and restructured his deal to void after the 2025 season - essentially giving both sides a two-year window to make it work. So far, it’s been a solid fit.
At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds with 4.49 speed, Dugger brings a rare blend of size and athleticism to the safety position. He’s got 69 career starts under his belt and has played in 81 games, primarily as a strong safety and dimebacker. And he’s not just a box score filler - earlier this season, he made one of the defense’s highlight plays with a pick-six against the Bengals, showcasing the kind of game-changing ability that Pittsburgh needs more of down the stretch.
The Steelers know what they have in Dugger: a tough, smart, physical presence who can match up with tight ends, support in the run game, and make plays on the ball. If he's cleared to go on Monday, expect Pittsburgh to lean heavily on him as they look to keep pace in a tight AFC playoff race. His return could be the spark this defense needs to get back to playing its brand of football - fast, physical, and fundamentally sound.