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FOXBORO -- Duke Dawson is back on the practice field and could be back on the field for game action as soon as this weekend.
According to the NFL's list of bylaws that were approved at the 2018 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, players on injured reserve may return to action after missing eight games. Dawson was placed on IR the Thursday prior to New England's season opener with the Texans, meaning he's missed the requisite number of games.
With an open roster spot ready to be filled -- the Patriots placed Eric Rowe on injured reserve earlier this week -- Dawson is a logical candidate to bring back. He's fully recovered from a hamstring issue he suffered in training camp, and he'd provide the Patriots with some depth in the defensive backfield after losing Rowe, one of their top four corners, to a groin injury in Chicago.
"Since we drafted Duke, he's come in, he's worked hard," defensive play-caller Brian Flores said Thursday. "He's trying to pick up our terminology, our scheme. I think he's done a good job of that. He works hard. It's important to him.
"Obviously he had some setbacks but he's back in the fold now and he's working to get better every day . . . in every facet. Run game. Pass game. Playing the deep ball. At the line of scrimmage with his footwork. There's plenty for him to work on, just like there is for everyone on the team. I think he's working hard to do that. If he continues to do that, hopefully he can carve out a little role for himself."
Dawson was selected in the second round out of Florida this spring, and seemed to be a quick study during spring workouts and training camp. He was often spotted working in with the top group of defensive backs, seeing time in the slot as Jonathan Jones worked his way back from an injury suffered in the playoffs last season.
New England Patriots
It's unclear as of now if the Patriots will activate Dawson, and if they do it's unclear how much he'll play. But they have the option.
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