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The Pittsburgh Steelers moved their record to 11-0 on the season by sweeping the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12 after finally being able to play the game. Unfortunately, the Steelers appear to have suffered a major loss as outside linebacker Bud Dupree has reportedly torn his ACL and will be lost for the 2020 season. This per Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network:
Initial tests on #Steelers LB Bud Dupree indicate a torn ACL, sources tell me and @AKinkhabwala. Tests coming to confirm but the team expects him to be lost for the reason. Crushing for the team and Dupree, who is playing on the franchise tag and is slated to be a free agent.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 3, 2020
Playing on the franchise tag for the 2020 season, Dupree had eight sacks through 10 games on the season. The second most in his career even with only 10 games, Dupree broke out in 2019 with 11.5 sacks in a contract year. Dupree had five tackles in the game against the Ravens before leaving with the injury.
If Dupree is lost for the rest of the season, 2020 3rd-round draft pick Alex Highsmith looks to step in as the next man up for the Steelers at outside linebacker. The Steelers also have Olasunkanmi Adeniyi and Jerome Elliott to round out the depth chart.
In what is usually a joyous occasion after defeating the Baltimore Ravens, losing Dupree is a difficult blow. Coming into Week 12, Bud Dupree and fellow outside linebacker T.J. Watt were leading the NFL in sacks by teammates with a total of 17.0 going into the Ravens game where Watt added two more.
Stay tuned to BTSC for continued coverage on Bud Dupree’s injury and the Steelers 19-14 win over the Baltimore Ravens.