If you told New England Patriots fans eight months ago that the player who had just wrapped up year one of a $58 million extension would be on the brink of getting cut, they wouldn’t believe you. But that might be exactly where Kyle Dugger stands just 48 hours prior to roster finalizations.

New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger made his first comment since rumors started swirling that he might be traded. He spoke after the preseason finale against the New York Giants on Thursday.

Often, veterans who play deep into preseason games are released at the end of the summer, and Dugger — particularly after undergoing surgery — has played at a level that could put him on the chopping block ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline.