EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Kyle Dugger expected a four-month recovery.
A slow walk back to his old self, starting last January with ankle surgery and a finish line that would await him in May, maybe June.
But the path he walked took longer. And soon, it might lead to the end of his Patriots career.
Dugger played more snaps than most of his teammates in a second straight preseason game Thursday night, a 42-10 defeat to the Giants played out by backups on both sides.
Dugger did not start, just like last week when the Patriots held off the Vikings, 20-12, in Minnesota. That exhibition ended memorably, with Dugger catching an interception in the end zone on the final play. He grabbed another pick against New York, but continued to play in the second half when he also took a bad angle on a 41-yard screen pass that resulted in a touchdown.
Often, veterans who play deep into preseason games are released at the end of the summer, and Dugger — particularly after undergoing surgery — has played at a level that could put him on the chopping block ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline.
“It’s weird. There’s little stuff like that where some stuff feels fine. And then other times, it’s like ‘Woah, OK. That didn’t feel like it normally feels,’” Dugger told the Herald post-game. “I don’t always know where there’s going to be rust. And that’s kind of been the hardest part. One (play I) will be where I know I can be, and then (I’m) not in some areas.”
Dugger insisted his lackluster performance is not a symptom of lingering physical problems, but mental mistakes; diagnosing plays a half-second too late, poor awareness or simply missing assignments. He hinted his tumble down the depth chart is part of a steep learning curve with the Patriots’ new defensive scheme under coach Mike Vrabel and missing all of the team’s spring practices while he recovered from surgery.
“Honestly, it’s very frustrating,” Dugger told the Herald post-game. “But the reality is it has to be a day-to-day thing. I have to focus on (my play), and as much as I want to be my biggest critic, I have to also be grateful because I want it to be like I didn’t take any (time) off. But that means I have to be where I’m at, and I have to reset, go day by day and work to improve. That’s it.”
Dugger, who signed a four-year $58 million extension barely a year ago, insisted he hasn’t thought about the possibility of having played his final snaps in New England.
“Nah, I really haven’t,” he told the Herald. “I’m trying to be present, trying to let thoughts like that (pass). Just trying to be present, and like I said earlier, just really getting back to playing fast. Take the reps, take the opportunity to go out there and play football again. Not being out there for OTAs, that was tough, so (I’m) just trying to get back to playing fast.”
Last season, Dugger played on a high ankle sprain he suffered in September that went misdiagnosed for almost three months. His recovery took far longer than expected, though Dugger claimed Thursday he had zero setbacks during the offseason. And even though he looks a half-step slow when he’s headed in the right direction, the 29-year-old safety said his recent play is a massive improvement from earlier this summer.
“Oh man, a lot different,” he said. “The first day, it was tough. It was really tough because I didn’t know where I would be. (My game)’s not anywhere close to where I want to be, and where I feel like I could be — where I’m going to be. But it is getting better, slowly.”
Dugger added he has complete confidence he will eventually recapture his Pro Bowl-caliber form, which included a career-high 109 tackles in 2023 and three defensive touchdowns in 2022.
“Without a doubt, without a doubt,” he said. “Yeah, I do. For sure.”
This summer, according to league sources, the Patriots have engaged in exploratory trade talks around Dugger. If he’s dealt, it’s likely the Patriots will be forced to pay most, if not all, of his guaranteed $9.725 million base salary for this season. If the Patriots release Dugger outright, they would absorb a $14.25 million dead cap hit.
As of Thursday night, Vrabel sounded happy with Dugger’s progress.
“I think that he’s gotten better, I think he’s improved. I think he’s feeling better,” Vrabel said post-game. “It looks like he’s feeling better on tape. And so that’s good to see. Those are all positive things. He made a play (tonight), had two interceptions (in the preseason). I thought he flashed, I thought he triggered, I thought he tackled. I thought his length showed up, all these things.”
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