It looks like Bud Dupree is taking a page out of his ex-teammate’s playbook.
The former Steelers linebacker who signed with Tennessee for this season announced his return to Heinz Field on Sunday by rallying his new teammates while standing on the Steelers’ logo at midfield.
Titans' players, including ex-Steeler Bud Dupree, gathering on the Steelers' logo pre-game. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/PODR5Szsk9
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) December 19, 2021
The move evoked memories of JuJu Smith-Schuster’s pregame logo dances last season that roiled road opponents, as several felt they were disrespectful.
Dupree, it appears, did not forget and decided to turn the tables in his first game since returning from a long stint on injured reserve, though it should be noted that the Steelers are not alone in this. Just a few weeks ago, the Titans also gathered on the Patriots’ logo ahead of a blowout loss in New England.
The Titans took the field and met in the middle of the field on the Patriots logo. pic.twitter.com/THaQ084Un3
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) November 28, 2021
The 28-year-old, who was a captain for the Titans and embraced former teammates Cam Heyward and Ben Roethlisberger during the coin toss, has played sparingly as he’s battled nagging injury since signing a five-year, $85 million deal back in March.
So far this season, he’s notched just seven tackles and one sack, totals well down from his final season with the Steelers in 2020, when he had 31 tackles and eight sacks before his season ended after 11 games because of a torn ACL.
Adam Bittner: abittner@post-gazette.com and Twitter @fugimaster24.
First Published: December 19, 2021, 6:18 p.m.