FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots placed rookie cornerback Duke Dawson on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, and promoted receiver Riley McCarron from the practice squad Thursday.
The transaction highlights some recent struggles with the Patriots' second-round picks and also addresses needed depth at receiver.
Dawson, a University of Florida alum who was selected with the 56th overall pick of the draft, was expected to compete for playing time as the team's nickelback. After playing in the team's first preseason game Aug. 9, he was sidelined for the remaining three games.