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Steelers' Kyle Dugger Takes Next Step to Improve Defense
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) runs back an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. The Bengals lost 34-12. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Steelers' Kyle Dugger Takes Next Step to Improve Defense

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI
By Dominic Campbell  |  Last updated Nov 17, 2025 4:00 PM ET

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a big play from their defense against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium and they got exactly that from safety Kyle Dugger.

Dugger Makes Pick-Six vs. the Bengals

The Benglas had third-and-nine from the Steelers 35-yard line, and the Steelers led just 13-9 with about 50 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco came under pressure from Steelers edge rusher in T.J. Watt and linebacker Nick Herbig, who came on a blitz and close to sacking Flacco.

Flacco threw a pass towards wide receier Tee Higgins, but didn't notice Dugger right between them, making for an easy interception.

Dugger then ran quickly past Flacco and the offensive line and Herbig came and helped him as a blocker, moving Bengals tight end Bradley Sample out of the way.

Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was the only player remaining between Dugger and the end zone and he hardly made an attempt on the tackle, allowing Dugger to score on a 74-yard pick six, giving the Steelers a 20-9 lead.

This marked the first Steelers defensive score for a touchdown since linebacker Payton Wilson returned a fumble 21 yards for the score in the 44-38 win over the Bengals in the Week 13 road win on Dec. 1, 2024.

It is also the first pick-six for the Steelers since linebacker Alex Highsmith against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson on the first play of the game for 30 yards in the 26-22 Week 2 home win on Sept. 18, 2023.

Not the First Pick-Six for Kyle Dugger

Dugger has made some impressive plays on defense in his career before in his tenure with the New England Patriots, with this one of four touchdowns he's made.

He had his first defensive touchdown on a 59-yard fumble return in the second quarter of the 29-0 home win over the Detroit Lions in Week 5 on Oct. 9, 2022.

Dugger has also made two pick-sixes in his NFL career prior to this one, which also came in the same season He had his first off of quarterback Derek Carr in the third quarter of a 30-24 road loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15 on Dec. 18, 2022.

His second came two weeks later against quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the third quarter of a 23-21 home win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 on Jan. 3, 2023.

Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Dugger's Short Tenure with the Steelers

The Steelers landed Dugger in a trade with the Patriots on Oct. 28, sending a sixth round 2026 NFL Draft pick, while also getting a seventh round 2026 NFL Draft pick.

Dugger started at safety in his past two games for the Steelers. He made four tackles (one solo) in the 27-20 home win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9 and then five tackles (two solo), with one pass defended in the 25-10 road defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10.

He finished his game against the Bengals with three solo tackles and two passes defended in the 34-12 win.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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