Duke Dawson excited and ready to make NFL debut

FOXBORO – It’s been a while since Duke Dawson played in a football game.

The Patriots second-round pick suited up for the team's first preseason game on Aug. 9, but a hamstring injury held him out after that. Following a stint on the injured reserve, the cornerback is back on the active roster and could make his NFL debut this weekend against the New York Jets.

"It’s very exciting," Dawson said. "As a competitor, you always want to go out and compete and [...]

FOXBORO – It’s been a while since Duke Dawson played in a football game.

The Patriots second-round pick suited up for the team's first preseason game on Aug. 9, but a hamstring injury held him out after that. Following a stint on the injured reserve, the cornerback is back on the active roster and could make his NFL debut this weekend against the New York Jets.

“It’s very exciting,” Dawson said. “As a competitor, you always want to go out and compete and just help the team in any way that you could. That’s just been me my whole life.”

During the first half of the season, it was notable that Dawson was among those who traveled on Patriots road games. Typically, you don’t see players on the injured reserve in that fashion, but it became normal to see this rookie cornerback working out the field pregame in places like Detroit in Week 3.

Dawson said he paid attention to everything while off the field. In team meetings, he filled up a notebook and prepared like he would play. The hope was that his preparation would help and that when his time came, he wouldn’t be surprised.

It remains to be seen what Dawson’s role will be when he does play, but he noted he’s been playing the slot cornerback position in practice. As it comes to his conditioning, Dawson’s confident he could help if called upon.

“If I had to play 50 snaps, I can play 50 snaps,” Dawson said. “It’s nothing new to me. It’s football. Being able to get back out there in great condition, being able to stay in tune in every detail for the game plan, that’s what I’ve been doing.”