...but the two days of workouts apparently did little to deter the inevitable.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter is reporting that the Patriots have parted company with oft-injured cornerback Ras-I Dowling - and while the team has yet to confirm the roster move, it comes as little surprise.
The third year corner, dubbed "Ras-IR" due to his frequent and eternal presence on the Injured Reserved list had been out of action again this preseason since before the first preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles - and that, combined with his protracted injury history, was finally just too much for coach Bill Belichick and the medical staff to deal with for another season.
While Dowling's release was not unexpected, the timing is curious - and suggests a couple of different scenarios. With Alfonzo Dennard's legal issue in limbo until just before the first regular season game, the team is either confident that the outcome will favor the second year player, or they are going to be on the market for a veteran corner - or they'll just fly with what they already have.
Dowling was spotted in full pads in practice as late as Tuesday afternoon along with Dennard and both were expected to take reps in Thursday's final preseason game against the New York Giants - but instead, the opportunity exists for rookie free agent Justin Green or newly resigned corner Stephon Morris to make a statement for a roster spot.
The former second round draft pick will likely not find many takers on the open market, as being limited to action in just nine of 32 games as a pro and his injury history going back to high school preceding him.
Dowling's spot on the 75 man roster was taken by undrafted rookie free agent camp fodder Ja'Gared Davis, an undersized outside linebacker out of SMU who was claimed off waivers from the Houston Texans on Wednesday.
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