PITTSBURGH — Kyle Dugger is a laid-back, soft-spoken person. But he does have his exceptions.
"Touchdowns, turnovers, big plays," Dugger said after Sunday's 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals . "Big plays are the most excited I get. … I try to stay level-headed."
Under pressure during the third quarter of that matchup, Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco dumped an errant pass to the middle of the field. Dugger reeled it in in front of Tee Higgins and veered to his right and returned it 73 yards down the sideline. Ja'Marr Chase tried to track him down, but was olé'd at the 1-yard line.
Dugger essentially walked in, beat his chest with his right hand and pointed to the sky before outside linebacker Nick Herbig and fellow safety Jalen Ramsey joined him in celebration.
Newly-acquired Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger plays against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Ed Thompson/Steelers Now
"It was actually kind of a broken play a little bit, and I ended up being the free guy and he just threw it right to me," Dugger said. "(If) somebody gives you a gift like that, you gotta maximize it for the defense, for the team. So that's all I was thinking."
Earlier in the day, Dugger had dropped a would-be interception that he could've done some damage with.
"I felt like God would grant me another opportunity," Dugger said. "I said, 'If I get another chance, I gotta make sure I catch the ball first and go score."
Dugger arrived with the Steelers by way of a trade from the New England Patriots late last month. He quickly got up to speed and has proven to be a steadying force in Mike Tomlin's secondary.
"He's a veteran player that's been there, done that," Tomlin said. "That's why we covered him at the trade deadline. He's been an asset to us certainly, and increasingly so. I'm excited about moving forward with him as he continues to get solid in assignments, communication and understanding."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Kyle Dugger Investment Pays Off for Steelers in Big Way
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