Kyle Dugger would have qualified as a "surprise cut" before Patriots training camp, but that might no longer be the case.

The veteran safety, who is the second-highest-paid player on the team and was elevated to captain last season, has tumbled down the depth chart . Dugger on Monday took the practice field after fellow strong safety Jabrill Peppers, free safety Jaylinn Hawkins and even 2025 fourth-rounder Craig Woodson, as shared by Phil Perry and Tom E. Curran during the Patriots Talk podcast .

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The reduced role has Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard believing New England could release Dugger as it trims its 53-man roster before Aug. 27.

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