The New England Patriots were well-stocked at the safety position entering the 2022 season. That depth already has paid off.
In each of their first two games, the Patriots have been forced to play the entire second half without one of their starting-caliber safeties. In Week 1, it was Adrian Phillips who went down with a ribs injury just before halftime. On Sunday, Kyle Dugger was the victim. He suffered a knee injury late in the second quarter of a 17-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and did not return.
Phillips’ injury proved to be minor, and he was back on the field the following week.