If called upon 3 days after joining Steelers, safety Kyle Dugger eager to contribute in game

Kyle Dugger, of course, speaks fluent English. So does the entirety of the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff and defensive unit.

Dugger, though, needed to learn what in some ways sounds like a new “language’ — and fast — after officially joining the Steelers on Thursday. Good thing he has a close friend and former teammate, Jabrill Peppers, to serve as a translator.

“That’s exactly what it is,” Dugger said after going through his first practice with his new team. “He translates a lot of things; he can kinda relate back to this was that, this was the old that, and make it easier for me to understand the new terminology and things like that.”

Hours after his acquisition via a trade with the New England Patriots was announced by the team Thursday morning, Dugger went through a full practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Though he was listed on New England’s injury report last week because of a knee injury, it is believed Dugger was fully healthy when he took to the field at the Steelers’ indoor facility Thursday.

“I feel healthy now,” Dugger said.

After the knee injury suffered by starting strong safety DeShon Elliott during the Steelers’ defeat Sunday to the Green Bay Packers, Dugger could be called upon as soon as this Sunday to play a significant role when the Steelers host the Indianapolis Colts.

“As we get a little closer (to game day),” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said Thursday, “we’re going to try to do the best we can to get him ready to be available for us in some capacity.”

Said Dugger: “If I’m asked to play, I’m going to be ready.”

At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Dugger’s body type would suggest he’s more of a strong safety, but according to Pro Football Focus data, he has played more this season as a free safety. Earlier in his career with New England, though, the 2020 second-round pick spent more time lined up in the box.

Dugger also has extensive experience lining up in the nickel/slot. His deployment against tight ends could help a defense reeling from a 143-yard, two-touchdown performance put up by the Packers’ Tucker Kraft against the Steelers this past Sunday.

“You’re getting a guy who can pretty much do it all,” Peppers said. “A bigger-bodied type. Lengthy, athletic, fast, explosive. Basically, he can do anything you ask him to do on defense, and he gives you some special teams value. I’m excited to have him here.”

Dugger, 29, joins 30-something veterans Peppers, Chuck Clark and Juan Thornhill as longtime starting-caliber safeties the Steelers have acquired in 2025. The latter three, though, have been part of a secondary that over the past two games has been torched for 688 passing yards and six passing touchdowns.

Playing without Elliott, Steelers defensive coaches have their work cut out for them in preparation for the Colts, who lead the NFL in yards and points.

“We’ll just work around with the guys in the building and see what we’ve got,” Austin said before Thursday’s practice, a session in which Peppers was limited because of a quadriceps injury. “We got ‘Pep’ here. Pep can play strong safety. He’s a physical guy, and then we’ll just go from there. We’ll see what we do at the end of the week and how we come through it. We’ll see where Kyle is, and we’ll have a contingency plan in place if he’s not available.”

Through league connections, Dugger saw some familiar faces during his first day in the Steelers locker room — none moreso than close friend Peppers. Although Dugger hadn’t had much prior interaction with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, Dugger said Tomlin’s presence makes him excited to embark on his career journey with a second NFL team.

“I always wanted to play for (Tomlin),” Dugger said. “Just seeing how he does how he does his business from the outside looking in, I always wanted to play with him. So this is a big deal.”