Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson Bounces Back Against Bucs
By Adam Carlson
So far this year, things have been rough for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. After a promising rookie campaign where he was mostly used in the kick return game, the dynamic sophomore has done little to show that he has developed in new offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s offensive system.
However, if Sunday’s game was any any sign of things to come, things might be looking better Cordarrelle Patterson in the pass game.
Oct 26, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Through the first seven games of the 2014 NFL season, Cordarrelle Patterson’s numbers were less than impressive. He had caught only 19 passes on 37 attempts for 213 yards.
Patterson was a MUCH bigger part of the Minnesota Vikings game plan against Tampa Bay on Sunday. He was targeted 12 times by rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in that contest, where Cordarrelle hauled in 6 catches for 86 yards, high highest receiving yardage total so far this season.
After the game, Cordarrelle Patterson was seen in a walking boot due to an injury he incurred on his final kick return of the game. But that boot didn’t stay on long. At Monday’s practice, Patterson was playing without the boot.
Patterson told the Star Tribune’s Master Tesfatsion that he suffered only a bruise on the play and the walking boot was just a precaution.
Throughout much of the season, Patterson has been dealing with a nagging hip injury. If Patterson can get healthy, he could continue to be a large part of the Minnesota Vikings pass game for the remainder of the season. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater could use all the help he can get, especially considering that the Vikings currently have the 31st passing offense in the NFL, gaining only an average of 190.2 yards per game through the air.