Two of the Patriots’ top three picks are now set to be on IR. Second-round pick Duke Dawson will join Isaiah Wynn on the injured list, according to ESPN.com’ Field Yates (on Twitter).
The Patriots will promote wide receiver Riley McCarron from their practice squad, per Yates. A hamstring injury will send Dawson to IR.
Dawson was set to be one of New England’s reserve cornerbacks and was seeing time in the slot during the preseason. New England still has five cornerbacks on its active roster, six if cornerback/safety Jason McCourty is counted.
Five of the nine Patriots 2018 draftees — Wynn, Dawson, linebacker Christian Sam, wideout Braxton Berrios and tight end Ryan Izzo — are on IR. Only Dawson can return, since he was moved there after being carried through to New England’s 53-man roster.