Patterson 4 Yards Short Of Vikings Kick Return Yard Record

Dec 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs the ball past Cincinnati Bengals free safety Reggie Nelson (20) and linebacker Jayson DiManche (51) in the third quarter of the game at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals beat the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports

In a season marred by injuries, losses and subpar play, watching rookie kick returner and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has been the highlight of the year.

So far, many teams have been afraid to kick the ball to him.  And who can blame them?  Patterson leads the NFL in return yardage with 1,342.  The Vikings record for return yardage is held by George “Buster” Rhymes during the 1985 NFL season when he accumulated 1,345 yards off kicks.

Dec 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) catches the ball and is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) in the third quarter of the game at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals beat the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports

That means that if Patterson can manage 4 return yards against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, that he will be the sole owner of that record.   Of course, the Lions will have to kick the ball to Patterson for him to get that opportunity.

"“I’d change all that for a win,” Patterson said. “It’s not pretty for us. We expect a better outcome but it’s not happening.”"

Maybe so.  And there will be plenty of opportunities in the future for Minnesota to win with Patterson, but for now, he should be happy knowing that he is about to become part of the team’s history.