New England Patriots: Ras-I Dowling to Injured Reserve, Kevin Faulk Activated

Just a day after the New England Patriots released veteran cornerback Leigh Bodden, the team has now placed cornerback Ras-I Dowling on injured reserve. 

According to multiple sources, the team announced Saturday that Dowling, a rookie out of Virginia, has been placed on injured reserve due to a hip injury that he has been dealing with all season. 

Dowling has played in only two games this season for the Patriots. Dowling appeared in the team's season opener against the Miami Dolphins, and then the following week against the San Diego Chargers, as he played a total of 92 out of 148 defensive snaps. Dowling recorded three tackles and zero pass deflections. 

New England now have cornerbacks Devin McCourty, Kyle Arrington, Antwuan Molden and Phillip Adams on their 53-man active roster.

With Dowling being placed on IR, veteran running back Kevin Faulk will now be activated to take Dowling's spot.

Faulk, who's 35 years young, will likely be making his first appearance in a Patriots uniform this season against the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. The LSU product has been on the team's PUP list all season long while recovering from an ACL surgery. 

The veteran running back will join an already crowded backfield with the likes of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Stevan Ridley and Danny Woodhead. There is a definitely doubt surrounding Faulk's form after tearing his ACL a year ago, but he certainly brings leadership and experience—with experience being the team's biggest weakness at the position. 

New England will be paying a visit to the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday at 4:15 ET, and it will be definitely the team's biggest challenge thus far this season.

With the recent move, it will be interesting to see if it will affect the team positively or negatively. 

For more articles like this, check out PatriotsPlus.net.