Bud Dupree could miss an extended amount of training camp time.
Stop me if you've heard this before. Ah yes, we've heard it for what seems to be his entire career.
In 2016 Dupree missed the entire preseason due to a core muscle injury that eventually found him on injured reserve for the first eight weeks of the season.
Then there was 2017. He spent all off-season working with sack specialist Chuck Smith, a former NFL pass rusher. Some outlets predicted Dupree could be in the mix for defensive MVP. Then training camp rolled around and Dupree missed every padded practice with a nagging should injury.
All along we were reassured that Dupree would be ready for week one in Cleveland, but he was ultimately inactive. Though limited in practice prior to week two he returned to the starting lineup against the Vikings, but went unnoticed throughout the season. He finished with 6 sacks, but acknowledged leaving plenty on the field.
I just left double-digit sacks on the field,” Dupree told ESPNs Jeremy Fowler. “I still can get double-digit sacks even though I’m in coverage a lot. I just have to capitalize on my opportunities. I’ve just got to close the deal.”
Now back to training camp 2018. Dupree and TJ Watt have switched sides on the defense
"Bud had rushes where he beat his guy, but the quarterback stepped up, flushed out or went the other way and got away," outside linebacker coach Joey Porter said. "He had a lot of rushes where he beat his guy but didn't get the sack."
And now according to Mike Tomlin, Dupree has been entered into the NFLs concussion protocol. The injury bug just does not seem to evade Dupree like quarterbacks have been for three seasons.
While we don't know how serious the nature of his concussion is, we know that they can linger for long periods of time. Hopefully Dupree won't miss much time. If the Steelers defense hopes to take the next step they will need Dupree to finally live up to his first round potential.
