Cordarrelle Patterson eligible to return from IR in Week 9

On the Monday following the team’s Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns, the Atlanta Falcons placed running back Cordarrelle Patterson on the injured reserve list.

Patterson was electric to start the season, racking up 340 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry. Four weeks after undergoing a cleanup procedure on his left knee, Patterson is eligible to return. Falcons head coach Arthur Smith knows he has to be cautious with his veteran running back.

On Monday, Smith told reporters he would know more about Patterson’s health on Wednesday, and said the same about cornerback A.J. Terrell and safety Jaylinn Hawkins, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

#Falcons coach Arthur Smith said he’ll know more about Cordarelle Patterson (left knee surgery, IR), CB AJ Terrell (hamstring) and S Jaylinn Hawkins (concussion) on Wednesday. Saw all three in the locker room. pic.twitter.com/S67xnPpO1N

— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) October 31, 2022

Hawkins and Terrell each missed Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers and it showed late in the game. The secondary gave up some big plays in the fourth quarter, including what looked to be the game-winning touchdown pass. Luckily for the Falcons, the Panthers missed the extra point and the game went into overtime.

As for Patterson, he previously teased his return a few weeks ago by posting this video of himself working out on Twitter.

Almost that time! pic.twitter.com/Ifk9CZcaFR

— cordarrelle patterson (@ceeflashpee84) October 19, 2022