Overview

• New England retained the veteran safety on its initial 53-man roster, and Mike Vrabel indicated additional moves could come before the season opener.
• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Patriots received multiple offers, but Dugger’s $9.75 million guaranteed salary and how much the team would absorb blocked a deal.
• Cutting Dugger would have created about $14.25 million in dead money, while a trade was projected to be more workable financially — roughly $4.5 million in dead money and about $10.76 million in savings, per reporting.
• Under the new staff he has been relegated to a backup role after second-team reps and late preseason snaps, with Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson ahead of him.
• Multiple reports noted league skepticism about taking on the contract without New England eating salary, leaving open the possibility of a later move.