Dugger suffered an ankle injury in Week 4 of last season.
The 2024 season was a tough one for New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger.
Much of that was due to a high ankle sprain that he suffered all the way back in Week 4. Dugger went to miss four games before suiting up in the Patriots final seven contests — where he was visibly limited — before undergoing surgery shortly after the season.
Back in the building for the start of the team’s voluntary offseason program, Dugger shared that his ankle is “doing well” and he’s excited to turn the page from last year.
“I’m really looking forward to this upcoming season,” Dugger said Tuesday. “Not really looking back to last year. Kind of put that in the back of my mind and really just looking forward to moving on.”
Following an offseason of change, Dugger is now the longest tenured Patriots player on the roster entering the season. While that has not change the day-to-day life for him in the building, things elsewhere are new with a complete turnover on the defensive coaching staff.
Playing for defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who prides his unit on aggressiveness and violence, Dugger believes his skillset will be a strong fit.
“I would say that’s what I want to do as well,” Dugger said. “I would say that we align in that way. I want to be violent and aggressive just like they want to be. So I would say yeah, it fits in my play style pretty good.”
The Patriots are hoping the new system — in addition to a healthier ankle — will lead to better results for Dugger moving forward, as the team signed him to a four-year, $58 million extension prior to last season.
As Dugger has not learned his exact role in Williams’ defense at this stage of the offseason, he has enjoyed the opportunity for a new start.
“It’s positive. Real positive. Everybody’s excited for a new opportunity, fresh start,” he said. “Just been setting the foundation, just learning — connecting like I said earlier. That’s been the biggest emphasis. Not really getting into the roles yet. We just trying to set our identity and the foundation.”