In a somewhat surprising move, the Raiders have waived second year safety Jonathan Dowling. The main surprise was that the move happened prior to the team's third preseason game. The first cutdown date is not until Tuesday so the team could have kept him on the squad until then.
According to a report by Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, Dowling was cut for maturity issues and the team had been trying to trade him the past two days.
League sources say Dowling was cut due to maturity issues, and not his play on the field. #Raiders were trying to trade him last two days
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) August 29, 2015
Talked to few more people re Dowling: Series of small incidents built up to where coaches decided to move on; personalities were a bad fit
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) August 29, 2015
It was similar issues that had this one time Florida product kicked off the team after just two games and forced him to transfer to Western Kentucky.
Dowling was drafted in the seventh round of the 2014 draft and was competing to make the roster as a reserve safety and special teamer. He came up with an interception in the team's preseason game against the Vikings last week and it was the only interception by any Raiders player this preseason.
The team added safety Taylor Mays earlier this week, waiving linebacker Chase Williams in a corresponding move. The release of Dowling increases his chances of making the squad, though it is unclear if Dowling's release had anything to do with Mays' addition.
Along with Dowling, the Raiders also waived undrafted rookie offensive lineman Quinterrius Eatmon.
With no corresponding moves made, the team now sits at 88 players.
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