Overview

• NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports New England is actively trying to deal the veteran safety ahead of Tuesday’s 53‑man deadline.
• Under Mike Vrabel, Dugger has lost first‑team reps and played deep into preseason while Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson worked with the starters.
• Dugger signed a four‑year, $58 million extension in 2024 with significant guarantees, and cap analyses say a trade would carry roughly $4.5 million in dead money but free about $10.8 million, whereas an outright cut would be far costlier.
• MassLive reports multiple industry sources doubt a trade happens unless the Patriots agree to absorb guaranteed money to make the contract palatable for another team.
• Dugger told ESPN’s Mike Reiss his ankle is not limiting him and called the situation business as usual, with potential suitors floated in media but no confirmed offers.