Jaret

Patterson

The Chargers claimed RB Hassan Haskins (6-foot-2, 228 pounds) off waivers on Wednesday, evidently seeking a big-bodied backup to compete for rotational snaps. Patterson (5-foot-8, 195 pounds) is largely a passing-down contributor and sixth-round rookie RB Kimani Vidal (5-foot-8, 215 pounds) can theoretically play on all three downs. Vidal totaled at least 22 targets in all four seasons at Troy while earning a promising 79.3 PFF pass-blocking grade in his senior season. The Chargers’ backfield is beginning to take shape with situational backups falling into place.

With Gus Edwards (undisclosed) sidelined, Patterson has been receiving first-team reps as the No. 2 behind J.K. Dobbins. It’s two practices, of course, but a needed reminder to pump the brakes on the Vidal hype (if you can call it that). Patterson pre-dates Jim Harbaugh in L.A., spending most of last season on the Chargers’ practice squad. Much like Vidal, Patterson offers something of a change-of-pace skill-set behind the Chargers’ more power-oriented top runners.

Patterson made the Commanders as an undrafted free agent out of Buffalo in 2021. He was waived by the team last season, only to return to the practice squad and rush for 78 yards in the team’s Week 18 finale last season. Patterson has been solid in limited action since entering the league but was facing a tough running back room in training camp. It’s possible Patterson returns to the Commanders’ practice squad if he clears waivers.

With Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson out, Patterson stepped in to lead the Commanders in rush attempts and rushing yards on the day. The diminutive but physical back averaged 4.6 YPC and pushed several piles for extra yards as Washington looked to grind down the clock late. In his second season with the Commanders, Patterson was inactive for most of the season, with Sunday’s game against the Cowboys being his first real action of the season. Patterson will likely be fighting for a roster spot heading into 2023.

Patterson landed with Washington as an undrafted free agent out of Buffalo and was able to make the roster as a rookie. He totaled 266 rushing yards and two TDs on 68 attempts, adding 10 receptions for 73 yards on 12 targets in 2021. He could be brought back on the practice squad, but dynasty managers can safely move on.

The buzzed-about UDFA became Washington’s No. 2 back after J.D. McKissic went down for the year with a Week 12 concussion, though he had begun to mix in before that. The 5-foot-8 — at most — change-of-pace runner handled the ball at least four times in each of Washington’s final five contests, averaging nine touches in that timespan. He averaged a tidy 4.6 yards per carry and 8.0 yards per catch in that block of games, but his YPC was a replacement-level 3.9 on the year. Severely under-sized, Patterson did enhance his odds of sticking around by showing more pass-catching chops than he put in his college box scores. He’s worth an end-of-bench stash in Dynasty leagues as someone likely to retain his 53-man roster spot for 2022.

Gibson was able to practice on a limited basis on Thursday after missing Week 17 on the COVID-19 list. His hip ailment was not included on the team’s Friday injury report ahead of Washington’s season finale against the Giants. Gibson should take over as the Football Team’s primary ball carrier upon his return. Jaret Patterson will likely spell Gibson.

With both Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic out for this game, Washington turned their backfield over to Patterson. He didn’t disappoint, securing all five of his targets after netting an early touchdown from 11 yards out. He out-carried his backups 12-6 and led all Football Team running backs in targets. Gibson is on the COVID list and should return for Week 18 so Patterson’s time as the team’s RB1 is seemingly over. If Gibson doesn’t clear COVID protocols before next week, Patterson will be a solid FLEX option versus the Giants.

With J.D. McKissic on IR because of a concussion, Jarett Patterson is in line for a massive workload this week. His only completion for reps is Jonathan Williams, who has 10 touches on the year. Patterson plays for a struggling offense but the increased volume sets him up for RB2 fantasy numbers.

Gibson is exceedingly unlikely to suit up this weekend against the Eagles. That leaves Jaret Patterson as the Football Team’s top running back, and he has a chance to serve as an every-down option with J.D. McKissic (concussion) on injured reserve. Patterson rushed nine times for 33 yards in the team’s blowout Week 16 loss to Dallas. He could see a serious workload in an offense with the league’s ninth lowest pass rate (56 percent). Wildly negative game script against a superior Eagles team could always limit Patterson’s carries. He’ll be a shaky RB2 option.