48 Bud Dupree OLB

Dupree signed his franchise tender Thursday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The decision to sign suggests Dupree won't be a holdout even if he doesn't get a long-term contract before the July 15 deadline for franchise-tagged players. It's a reasonable decision on his part, as the $15.83 million salary is good money for a pass rusher with 31.5 sacks in 70 regular-season games. On the other hand, Dupree is coming off a 2019 campaign with career highs for tackles (68), QB hits (17), sacks (11.5), forced fumbles (four) and fumble recoveries (two), plus his PFF grade (77.7) placed 24th among 107 qualified edge defenders. The Steelers are on track to return 10 of 11 starters from their formidable 2019 defense, with nose tackle Javon Hargrave (Eagles) the lone offseason departure.

The Steelers gave Dupree a franchise tag Monday morning, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The 2015 first-round pick looked like a disappointment throughout most of his rookie contract, but he broke out for 68 tackles and 11.5 sacks while playing on a fifth-year option in 2020. Dupree didn't generate a ton of pressure apart from the sacks, so there may be a significant difference of opinions if the Steelers open discussions for a long-term deal. The 27-year-old has 31.5 sacks and 50 QB hits through 70 career games, including 55 starts.

Dupree recorded four tackles (all solo), including a sack, in Sunday's 28-10 loss to the Ravens.

Dupree showed no issues with his shoulder and finished the 2019 season with 5.5 sacks in his final six games. Playing in all 16 games for the first time in his career, Dupree finished the season tied for ninth in the league -- and second on the team -- with a career-best 11.5 sacks. The Steelers will look to re-sign this unrestricted free agent, who also had four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Dupree (shoulder) isn't listed on the Steelers' injury report for Sunday's game at Baltimore.

Dupree was set to undergo an MRI after suffering the injury Week 16, but he's apparently fine since he never appeared on the injury report this week. The 26-year-old should play his usual near every-down role in the regular-season finale.

Dupree suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday's loss to the Jets and will need to get an MRI to determine the extent of the injury, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

Dupree is the latest entry on the extensive list of Steelers injuries heading into a must-win Week 17 matchup with the rival Ravens. The results of Dupree's MRI should help clarify his status for that contest.

Dupree recorded seven tackles (two solo) including a sack in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Jets.

After a slow start to the season, Dupree has come on strong the past few games and now has 10.5 sacks. He had one sack earlier this season against the Ravens in a game in which the Steelers had five sacks. Pittsburgh will need a win and a Tennessee loss next week to reach the postseason, so the defense should have plenty of motivation with most of Baltimore's starters likely sitting since they clinched home field advantage in the playoffs.

Dupree recorded three tackles (one solo) in Sunday's loss to the Steelers.

Dupree had a disappointing game statistically speaking, failing to improve on his 9.5-sack season. He will be a bounce-back candidate against the Jets in Week 16.

Dupree recorded five tackles (four solo) including a sack in Pittsburgh's 23-17 win over Arizona on Sunday.

With each sack by Dupree he adds to his career-best season total, which now stands at 9.5 sacks. Heading into a Week 15 game against Buffalo, the Pittsburgh defense has the third most sacks this season (48). Dupree will look to add to that total against Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen who has been sacked 33 times this season and 11 times in his last three games.

Dupree had six tackles (four solo) including 1.5 sacks in Pittsburgh's 20-13 win over Cleveland on Sunday.

The Pittsburgh defense sacked Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield five times to bring the season total to 43 sacks. The team is on pace for 57 sacks, and Dupree -- who already has a career-best 8.5 sacks -- is on pace for 11 this season. He will look to add to his total in Week 14 against the Cardinals, who have allowed 42 sacks this season.

Dupree had two tackles (both solo) including a sack and a fumble recovery in Pittsburgh's 16-10 win over Cincinnati on Sunday.

The defense that has carried the Steelers much of this season did so again against a hapless Bengals offense. Dupree strip-sacked Ryan Finley, then recovered the ball to seal the victory in the final minutes of the game. Dupree now has seven sacks heading into a Week 13 rematch with the Browns. In Week 11, Pittsburgh managed just one sack against Cleveland.

Dupree totaled three tackles (all solo) including two sacks and a fumble recovery in Sunday's 26-24 win over the Colts.

The two sacks give Dupree five this season, and he should exceed his career-best six sacks in 2017 as the season progresses. His fumble recovery came on a strip-sack of backup quarterback Brian Hoyer to start the second half, with Pittsburgh taking the ensuing drive for a touchdown. The Steelers have a league-leading 11 fumble recoveries and the league's second-best turnover differential at +10. Dupree is a solid IDP option in Week 10 against the Rams.

Dupree recorded five tackles (three solo), including a sack, in Monday's 27-14 win over the Dolphins.

Dupree now has four sacks this season, with three coming in his last four games. The Pittsburgh defense has played some of its best football to notch three victories during that span while holding opponents to 15 points per game. Pittsburgh has had similar success against their Week 9 opponent, having won the last five games against Indianapolis by an average score of 33-18.

Dupree collected five tackles (four solo) including a sack in Sunday's 26-23 overtime loss to the Ravens.

His ankle appears to be fine, as Dupree had not had a sack in each of the prior two games. He will look to keep that streak going and avenge last season's 33-30 loss to the Chargers when the Steelers face Los Angeles in Week 6.

Dupree recorded five tackles (four solo), including a sack, in Monday night's 27-3 win over Cincinnati.

With the Steelers leading 7-3 in the second quarter, Dupree sacked Andy Dalton and forced a fumble that was recovered by T.J. Watt deep in Pittsburgh territory. It was Dupree's first sack since Week 1, and he's still on pace for his lowest sack total since his rookie season. The Steelers host Baltimore in Week 5, and in their two games last season, Pittsburgh's defense managed just one turnover and 3.5 sacks.

Dupree (ankle) was a full participant in Friday's practice and will play in Sunday's matchup with the 49ers.

Dupree popped up on the injury report Thursday with an ankle injury that caused him to be limited, but it looks like it was just precautionary. Expect Dupree to be a full go come Sunday.

Dupree (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Dupree was not listed on Wednesday's injury report, indicating that his ankle issue may have developed during Thursday's practice. Look for the extent of Dupree's participation in practice Friday to shed light on his chances of suiting up Week 3 versus San Francisco.

Dupree had four tackles (all solo) including a sack in Pittsburgh's 33-3 loss to New England on Sunday.

The sack was Pittsburgh's only one on the night and came in the final minute of the third quarter when the game was already out of reach. The defense will need to do a much better job pressuring Russell Wilson in Week 2 when they face the Seahawks, who allowed four sacks in their Week 1 win over Cincinnati.

Dupree (hand) was not listed on Wednesday's injury report, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Dupree appears fully recovered from his hand injury. He's bound for his usual starting role during Sunday's regular-season opener at New England.

Dupree was spotted with an ice pack and wrap on his right hand after exiting Sunday's preseason matchup with the Titans, Dale Lolley of Steelers radio network reports.

Dupree was still on the sideline, suggesting the severity of his injury isn't too great. He's obviously done for the night, though.

Dupree recorded three tackles (all solo) including two sacks in the Steelers' 17-7 preseason win over the Chiefs on Saturday.

After skipping Pittsburgh's first preseason game, Dupree made his presence known against Kansas City, sacking Chad Henne twice before halftime. Dupree has had more than one sack in a game only once and averages just five sacks a season over his four-year career. Efforts like this do not bode well for opposing quarterbacks facing a defensive unit that already has led the league in sacks the past two seasons.