Steelers OLB Bud Dupree tore his right ACL late in Wednesday's win over the Ravens. Dupree is currently tied for 7th in the league with 8 sacks and was on pace to match his career high of 11.5 from last season. It's particularly unfortunate timing for Dupree, who is due to hit unrestricted free agency in March. Rookie Alex Highsmith figures to take over most of Dupree's snaps. The 3rd-round pick has 1 sack and 3 tackles for loss in limited playing time this season. He had already seen increased playing time over the 4 games leading up to Wednesday vs. Baltimore.

The Steelers are using the franchise tag to keep OLB Bud Dupree off the open market. The former 1st-round pick jumped to 11.5 sacks in his 5th season after topping out at 6 sacks among his previous 4 campaigns. Dupree's 17 QB hits in 2019 mark a steadier climb, compared with 6, 7, 7 and 13 over the previous 4 years.

Steelers OLB Bud Dupree is out for today's opener against the Browns. He suffered a shoulder injury in Thursday's practice and then missed Friday's workout. Anthony Chickillo and James Harrison should take over the vacated snaps, with T.J. Watt starting on the other side. The Pittsburgh team D would present more sack upside with a healthy Dupree, but losing him doesn't significantly alter a positive fantasy outlook against Cleveland rookie QB Deshone Kizer.

Steelers OLB Bud Dupree is questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns. He suffered a shoulder injury in Thursday's practice and then missed Friday's workout. His backup, Anthony Chickillo, said he expects Dupree to be able to play Sunday. We'll check his status when the inactives come out.

The Steelers have activated OLB Bud Dupree from the PUP list. A groin injury cost him the 1st 9 games, but the 2nd-year pass rusher is on the active roster for Sunday's trip to Cleveland. We'll see what kind of role he's coming back to, though he'll likely work into a rotation. Dupree carries more pass-rushing upside than any other OLB on Pittsburgh's roster but is more of a long-term IDP option than a strong candidate for 2016 value.

The Steelers on Sunday placed OLB Bud Dupree on IR with a groin injury. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll miss the season. Pittsburgh can designate 1 guy to return and will have 2nd-year CB Senquez Golson (Lisfranc) as an option as well. But it means that you should forget about Dupree as a redraft option for 2016 in IDP leagues. That takes a key pass-rushing option out of a defense with top-12 potential. We'll see if he can return in the 2nd half to help Pittsburgh -- and how the unit starts without him.

The Steelers hope to have OLBs Jarvis Jones and Bud Dupree in the starting lineup and on the field much more often this season, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Jones started 17 games last year -- including both playoff contests -- but he also has just 5 sacks through 3 seasons since arriving as a 1st-round pick. Veteran James Harrison split time with Jones, led the team with 5 sacks and returns for his age-38 season. Jones is tough to bet on for numbers, especially a Pittsburgh lined his is 5th-year option. Dupree ran behind Arthur Moats for most of the year but stepped into the lineup late and collected 4 sacks. He reported 17 pounds lighter than last summer and carries much more sack upside than Jones. Dupree's an intiguing late-round option as a matchup play in your IDP draft

The Steelers chose OLB Bud Dupree with the 22nd pick of the NFL Draft. Pittsburgh needs the help on the edge, with Jason Worilds retired and Jarvis Jones disappointing so far. Dupree clearly has the physical skills but didn't quite match his production to his talent at Kentucky. The Steelers have a history of bringing rookies along slowly, which might work in Dupree's favor long term. We'll see whether he can significantly impact the 2015 defense. He's barely on the fringes of the IDP radar for the coming season.