Well, perhaps that statement is a little premature, but with him being one of a dozen New England Patriots that did not make the trip to Philadelphia to participate in the three-day joint practices against the Eagles, it means that he's too hurt to participate all week...
...which bodes ill for the oft-injured third-year corner, who was trying to avoid the Injured Reserved list for the first time in his career, but has been out of action since last week.
The others left behind in Foxboro include WRs Michael Jenkins and Mark Harrison, Safety Nate Ebner, offensive linemen Marcus Cannon, Dan Connolly, Markus Zusevics, Tyronne Green and Kevin Haslam, Tight End Rob Gronkowski, and defensive linemen Jermaine Cunningham and Armond Armstead.
Of the other eleven, Jermaine Cunningham is the only other player whose absence raises an eyebrow, since he is embroiled in a camp battle in which newcomers Marcus Benard and Michael Buchanan are ions ahead of the curve. Perhaps a saving grace for Cunningham is that second year player Jake Bequette isn't offering much thus far in camp, nor is CFL pick up Jason Vega.
Cunningham was rumored to be on the roster bubble, and being sidelined for the joint practices with the Eagles doesn't help his cause as an underperforming defensive end in the spotlight to show the pass rushing skills that made him a second round draft pick in 2010...
...but where Cunningham has earned a little margin for error with his improved play before his PED suspension last year, Dowling has no margin at all.
Dowling may have a ton of talent, but if he can't stay on the field, his roster spot should go to someone who can.
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