Patriots Rule Kyle Dugger Questionable, Elevate Ochaun Mathis

On Friday, the New England Patriots listed two players as out and eight others questionable for their Week 8 game against the New York Jets. The news worsened on Saturday. New England downgraded starting safety to questionable with an ankle injury.

Dugger missed Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins with an ankle injury. He was questionable for Week 6 but played in that game and last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although the ankle injury is nothing new, it is concerning that his status was downgraded over the past 24 hours. Dugger was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, a full participant on Thursday, and was removed from Friday’s injury report.

Kyle Dugger has been added to the injury report (ankle) and is listed as questionable for #NYJvsNE.

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 26, 2024

Also Read – Two Patriots Rules Out, Eight Others Questionable vs. Jets

The team is already without one starting safety. Jabrill Peppers remains on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List following his arrest three weeks ago. New England has Marte Mapu, Jaylinn Hawkins, and Dell Pettus as other safeties on the 53-man roster. Patriots practice squad player Mark Perry plays safety as well. New England not elevating him for Sunday’s game could be a positive sign that Kyle Dugger will be available. Stay tuned.

Another Elevation for Mathis

New England elevated edge defender Ochaun Mathis to the active roster for the second week in a row and third time this season. He played 11 snaps in Week 5 against Miami, all on special teams. Mathis played 11 special teams snaps last week, and his lone defensive snap of the season. He made a tackle on his only defensive play of 2024.

The New England Patriots (1-6) host the New York Jets (2-5) Sunday at 1 p.m. The inactive players for both teams will be announced before game time.