Steelers’ Bud Dupree reportedly has torn ACL

Ben Roethlisberger first gave an indication the injury to teammate Bud Dupree was serious when he referenced it as one of the reasons why the mood was not more celebratory for the Pittsburgh Steelers after their Wednesday victory against their biggest rival.

Moments later, a report from the league’s network heightened those fears.

Tests on Dupree’s knee indicate a torn ACL, according to a message posted to the verified Twitter account of the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo less than an hour after the Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens, 19-14.

After the game, a curt Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was not expansive in giving any information about Dupree’s condition.

“He got hurt. He is being evaluated,” Tomlin said. “I am sure I will have an update for you tomorrow.’

Initial tests on #Steelers LB Bud Dupree indicate a torn ACL, sources tell me and @AKinkhabwala. Tests coming to confirm but the team expects him to be lost for the reason. Crushing for the team and Dupree, who is playing on the franchise tag and is slated to be a free agent.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 3, 2020

Dupree left the game during the fourth quarter, walking off on his own power, albeit gingerly. JuJu Smith-Schuster also seemed to make reference to the severity of Dupree’s injury.

“That’s why we pray for everyone to have a healthy game,” Smith-Schuster said.

Dupree had five tackles, two for loss, during Wednesday’s game. He has 31 tackles — eight for loss — and eight sacks this season. Playing on the franchise-player tag and scheduled to become a free agent in the spring, Dupree has 19½ sacks the past two seasons.

Rookie Alex Highsmith figures to replace Dupree as the starting right outside linebacker across from NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate T.J. Watt. The only other outside linebacker on the 53-man roster is Ola Adeniyi. Journeyman Jayrone Elliott is on the practice squad.

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