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A rough rookie season will be followed up by possibly a lost year for Bud Dupree. The former Kentucky Wildcats star is going on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ injured reserve list, the team announced Sunday.
A groin injury has plagued Dupree through training camp and the preseason, which apparently required surgery to fix.
#Steelers LB Bud Dupree had surgery to fix a core muscle tear, source said. A return midsession (IR/to return) is possible if it goes well
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 4, 2016
The team’s first-round draft pick (22nd overall) in 2015, Dupree played in all 16 games last season, starting five of them. He finished the season with 26 total tackles and four sacks.
Dupree had an immediate impact last season, recording a sack of Patriots QB Tom Brady in his first game. The following week vs the 49ers, Dupree became the first Steelers rookie to have sacks in back-to-back games since the 2007 season.
Because Dupree went to I.R. following final roster cuts, he remains eligible for the I.R. designation to return later in the year. Hopefully, we see Bud healthy and suiting up later this season, but it won’t be for at least the first eight games.