Titans place Bud Dupree on IR, but expect to have LB back in 'a few weeks'

The abdominal injury Tennessee Titans pass rusher Bud Dupree suffered on his first play against the New Orleans Saints landed him on injured reserve, but it's not expected to end his 2021 season.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Dupree "is expected to return after a few weeks" from the injury. He's eligible to return for a Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dupree, 28, was a high-profile addition to the Titans defense in the 2021 offseason, signing a five-year, $82.5 million contract with Tennessee in free agency. His performance hasn't lived up to the price tag yet, however, with Dupree recording just one sack in seven games before the injury.

The 2015 first-round pick struggled to produce early in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but broke out in 2019 with 11.5 sacks. He began the 2020 season with eight sacks in 11 games, but suffered an ACL tear in early December.

Dupree's injury might explain his slow start with the Titans. After missing two games earlier in the 2021 season upon suffering setbacks with his knee, he told The Tennessean that he should've been more patient in his recovery.

"I rushed it,” Dupree said. “I let my pride get in the way. I should have waited a little longer. But I was so eager to get out on the field. New team, new city, new fans, just trying to make my place.”

The Titans enter Week 11 with an 8-2 record and a three-game lead over the 5-5 Indianapolis Colts for first place in the AFC South.