Ras-I

Dowling

The No. 33 overall pick of the 2011 draft was waived by the Jets at final cuts. Dowling didn’t appear in a regular-season game in 2013.

Dowling has spent 2014 on the Raiders’ practice squad after being waived by the Jets during final cuts. The No. 33 overall pick of the 2011 draft, Dowling has not played in a regular season game since 2012.

The Pats are without four key defenders against the highest-scoring team in the league this week. With Hernandez and Vollmer out on offense, Rob Gronkowski, Chad Ochocinco, and rookie OT Nate Solder will be in the spotlight Sunday.

It would be troubling if Dowling’s rehab wasn’t going “very well,” as he was originally forecasted to be 100 percent by November. Plagued by injury since his final season at Virginia, Dowling enters 2012 as a major question mark.

Dowling was initially expected to forego surgery after tearing a tendon near his hip, but the medical staff decided a “clean-up” would add stability. Dowling has made “great progress” and is “hitting all his checkpoints” in rehab.

It’s a move that makes the Patriots’ Friday release of Leigh Bodden all the more baffling. The No. 33 overall pick in April’s draft, Dowlling appeared in just two games this season after turning in an injury-plagued senior campaign at Virginia. He has now dealt with hip, hamstring, knee and ankle injuries the past two years. New England’s 32nd ranked pass defense is down to just Devin McCourty, Kyle Arrington, and special teamers Antwan Molden and Phillip Adams at cornerback. Ben Roethlisberger could have a career day Sunday.

The injury does not require surgery, and Dowling is expected to be 100 percent healthy in roughly a month. Since he would then require another 2-3 weeks to get into game shape, the Patriots decided to end his season. Dowling should get a chance to start in 2012, but will enter the season as an injury risk.

Originally expected to pass on surgery and return in November, Dowling had the recommended “clean-up” and is well on his way to a full recovery. He will work out with the team in OTAs this week. Dowling is currently penciled in as the team’s No. 3 corner behind Kyle Arrington and Devin McCourty.

Dowling’s surgery repaired a torn tendon in his leg from last September. A rookie starter in Week 1, Dowling is now seeing few OTA reps while apparently still trying to heal from the injury. Dowling will have to hold off Sterling Moore, Will Allen, and Alfonzo Dennard for snaps behind RCB Kyle Arrington and LCB Devin McCourty. We wouldn’t bet on Dowling being a big 2012 contributor.

Dowling’s health will be a key piece of the Patriots’ defense. If 100 percent, he’s likely to win the right corner job, thus allowing Kyle Arrington to move inside to the slot. Dowling was able to play in just two contests last season as the Patriots gave up 293.9 yards passing per game.