48 Bud Dupree LB

Dupree recorded one tackle (solo) for a sack during Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Ravens.

The sack, which came just before halftime, was the only highlight in an otherwise quiet game for Dupree. He now has three sacks through four games and is tied with T.J. Watt for the team lead. The Pittsburgh defense has 13 sacks, tied for fourth best in the league, but has not been effective at shutting down opponents, allowing an average of 29 points per game this season.

Dupree (concussion) will not play in Thursday's game against the Eagles, Jacob Klinger of PennLive.com reports.

Dupree suffered a concussion during practice last Friday and remains in protocol. The Steelers will likely be in no rush to bring Dupree back and will want to ensure he is 100 percent clear of all concussion-like symptoms before he even returns to the practice field.

Dupree entered the concussion protocol after Friday's practice, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Dupree will likely miss several days at a minimum with his concussion. It isn't expected, however, that the injury will hinder his status for the regular season at all. Look for Anthony Chickillo and Keion Adams to see some extra reps with the first-team defense while Dupree is sidelined.

Pittsburgh exercised the fifth-year option on Dupree's rookie contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Selected 22nd overall in the 2015 draft, Dupree hasn't quite lived up to expectations through three seasons, but he did at least post career-high marks for tackles (40), sacks (six) and tackles for loss (12) in 15 games last year. The fifth-year option isn't a huge risk, as it's only guaranteed for injury and should cost less than $10 million. Dupree and 2017 first-round pick T.J. Watt figure to serve as Pittsburgh's starting outside linebackers in 2018, though it won't come as any surprise if the team brings in an early draft pick to push Dupree for snaps. The Steelers probably don't have any intention of signing Dupree to an extension before the season.

Dupree, who recorded four tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 45-42 AFC divisional round loss to Jacksonville, finished the 2017 season with 40 tackles (31 solo), including six sacks and a fumble recovery in 15 games.

This was a brutal game for the league's number one pass rush defense, which failed to record a sack against Blake Bortles. They also were unable to force a turnover, which helped end their playoff run. The regular season is a distant memory, but one the team can continue to build on for next season.