Mike Tomlin’s High Praise for Kyle Dugger
The newest addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary made a remarkable impact during his debut game in Week 9. Following the team’s victory over the Indianapolis Colts, head coach Mike Tomlin couldn’t help but express his admiration for safety Kyle Dugger. His comparison of Dugger’s influence to that of Minkah Fitzpatrick, a pivotal player since joining the Steelers from the Miami Dolphins in 2019, highlights the significance of this acquisition.
A Familiar Path
In his postgame press conference, Tomlin drew parallels between Dugger’s swift integration into the team and Fitzpatrick’s early days in Pittsburgh. “He’s a veteran guy, and that’s why you go get a veteran-capable guy like that,” Tomlin stated. He reminisced about the time Fitzpatrick joined the Steelers, emphasizing how both players arrived midweek and quickly adjusted to their new environment. “It’s reminiscent of when we acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick, to be quite honest with you. He got to us in a similar time during the week. We were out in the Bay Area and he fit right in instantly. His talent showed; he made plays for us. Felt similarly with the contributions we were able to get from Dugger today.”
Dugger’s Impressive Debut
Kyle Dugger’s role in the Steelers’ defense was already expected to be significant after his recent trade from the New England Patriots. However, with DeShon Elliott placed on the reserve/injured list and Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers sidelined, his contributions became crucial against a high-scoring Colts team averaging 33.8 points and 385.3 yards per game.
In a standout performance, Dugger recorded four tackles while logging an impressive 77 defensive snaps, including 53 at free safety, according to Pro Football Focus. His ability to step up in a challenging situation showcased his readiness and skill.
Recognition from Tomlin
Tomlin acknowledged Dugger’s strong first impression by awarding him a game ball, a testament to the impact he made during the game. “I can’t say enough about Kyle Dugger,” Tomlin said. “I just gave him a game ball in there. This guy got on the moving train and played a lot of defense for us today, and we needed it. We were really short at the safety position tonight, coupled with [DeShon] Elliott’s injury, we had some illness and some soft-tissue injuries. We were running super thin, and that dude came in here and gave us some quality work. We’re certainly appreciative of that.”
As the Steelers look to build on their success, Dugger’s performance may prove to be a pivotal moment in their season, echoing the contributions of one of their most valuable players, Minkah Fitzpatrick.
