One of the signature players of the Bill Belichick era will be back in a Patriots uniform on Sunday.
New England activated running back Kevin Faulk and defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick off the PUP list on Saturday in advance of their game in Pittsburgh.
In a surprise move, the team placed rookie cornerback Ras-I Dowling on injured reserve with a hip injury. The No. 33 overall pick of the 2011 draft, Dowling started the first two games of the season but hasn’t been since.
This makes the Patriots’ release of Leigh Bodden this week even more surprising. The team knew Dowling was this hurt, but must have been very frustrated with Bodden.