The Patriots are shopping safety Kyle Dugger ahead of the 53-player roster cut deadline. The new coaching staff, led by Mike Vrabel with defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, has reduced Dugger's role after five seasons as a starter and a four-year, $58 million extension. Dugger has primarily taken reps with second-team and scout-team units in practice and has played late in preseason games versus the Vikings and Giants. He recorded a pair of interceptions and several pass breakups in preseason action, yet has frequently lined up alongside players likely to be released before the roster deadline, signaling a diminished standing.
As Rapoport noted, Dugger's usage has shifted so far this summer as Mike Vrabel and new defensive coordinator Terrell Williams have augmented New England's defense. An established starter in New England ever since the team drafted him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Lenoir-Rhyne, Dugger has seen his stock plummet on the Patriots' depth chart over the last few weeks.
As of late, Dugger has primarily logged reps with both the second-team and scout-team defensive units during practices - while also playing well into the fourth quarter during New England's preseason games against the Vikings and Giants. Dugger did fare well in those preseason outings with a pair of interceptions - including a few pass breakups during that road matchup against New York.
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