How Kyle Dugger reacted to being named Patriots captain after Ja’Whaun Bentley’s injury

"It's a big honor. It meant a lot knowing the guys felt that way," said Dugger.

Patriots safety Kyle Dugger has been tapped to replace Ja’Whaun Bentley as a team captain, head coach Jerod Mayo announced Wednesday.

Dugger will join Jabrill Peppers, David Andrews, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Cardona and Deatrich Wise among the Patriots’ captains.

“He brings that physicality, that mentality that you want on your defense,” Mayo said of Dugger. “Last year he had the green dot quite a bit and I think two years ago as well. He’s able to handle the communication, the adjustments, and he’s able to get guys lined up.”

Mayo said he spoke with Bentley before he made the decision. Bentley said he didn’t mind if there was another captain picked in his place. Dugger said it felt good to get recognition from his teammates, who voted for him.

“It’s a big honor. It meant a lot knowing the guys felt that way,” said Dugger.

The Patriots will place Bentley on injured reserve. According to multiple reports, Bentley has a torn pectoral and is expected to miss the rest of the season. However, Mayo did not completely dismiss the idea of Bentley returning.

“I’m not sure. We’ll see how it goes,” Mayo said. “I don’t want to speculate on when he could return. I don’t want to get into that.”

The veteran safety said he isn’t trying to fill Bentley’s shoes.

“I don’t really look at it like that,” Dugger said. “I feel like as far as what I’m supposed to do, it’s what I’ve been doing, leading by example. I’m not really looking to replace Ja’Whaun, he’s still a captain.”

Dugger tends to be fairly quiet by nature, but has shown improvement as a vocal leader, Mayo said.

“His first couple years, it was more like he would just go out there and perform at a high level but didn’t have much to do with the communication and stuff like that and the development of his teammates,” Mayo said. “I would say here, over the past few years he’s done a tremendous job mentoring those young guys and even the older guys.”

Mayo said Jabrill Peppers told him being able to learn from Dugger and Devin McCourty was an important part of adjusting to the way New England does things.

“That just talks about his leadership style, and it’s a little different,” Mayo said. “It’s mostly through the way he approaches the game, but I would say as of late he has been more vocal which I definitely appreciate.”

Dugger said he has placed an emphasis on consistency, both for himself and the younger players he mentors.

“I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve been trying to pick up myself,” Dugger said. “I’ve just been trying to show discipline every day, like work habits as far as taking notes, watching film, in the weight room, taking care of your body and things like that.

“It doesn’t really ever stop,” Dugger added. “It’s an every day grind and I’ve just been trying to show that being consistent in my routine and if they ever feel like they want to come talk to me and ask me things then I’m definitely open to break it down for them.”