For the second straight preseason game, undrafted rookie running back Jaret Patterson stood out as the Washington Football Team’s MVP. The 5-foot-7 Patterson seized his opportunities displaying his abilities as a running back, receiver, and returner.
Patterson rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries against the Cincinnati Bengals. He also caught three passes on three targets for 25 yards. He also broke off a 37-yard kickoff return to cap off his impressive night.
The former University at Buffalo star flashed his ability to run behind his blockers through gaps. He constantly gashed the Bengals for large chunks, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He culminated the showcasing with a go-ahead one-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Washington went on to take the exhibition contest 17-13 for their first preseason win of the year.
Patterson, a Glen Dale, Maryland native and childhood friend of Chase Young, capitalized on the chances head coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner provided him. And for it, Patterson appears to be etched in stone as part of Washington’s 53-man roster.
The question now is will Washington carry four running backs or will veteran Peyton Barber be shoved to the cut list?
Barber didn’t have many opportunities to state his case. He had three carries for a meager two yards. Meanwhile after starter Antonio Gibson was sat for the rest of the night, Patterson gobbled up majority of the remaining touches.
It was well into the flow of the game. Patterson earned every touch and was rewarded in the end with the touchdown.
Last week, Rivera said he wanted to see Patterson as a returner and he didn’t disappoint. With the 37-yard gash, he is now firmly cinched into the conversation as a returner. Whether it was a running back, receiver or returner, he showed he can be a contributor in any facet of the game.
“That’s what you’re looking for,” Rivera said of Patterson per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “You’re looking for those guys that step up and make plays.”
Rivera also called Patterson “dynamic.”
That flexibility will ultimately earn him a spot on the roster. If last week’s performance was a step towards him making the team, Friday night he took several steps forward.
