Jaret

Patterson

Patterson deserves credit for fighting through contact en route to a two-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but his best play occurred on the Chargers’ fourth drive. Patterson ran to the right, through a crowded box, as Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby dove toward him and landed a clean punch on the football. The rock hardly moved in Patterson’s grip, and he continued on his way to a 22-yard gain, bringing the ball to the Raiders’ 15-yard line. Patterson can be stashed until RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) returns from injured reserve.

Patterson actually out-rushed fill-in No. 1 back Kimani Vidal, but the bulk of his production came in clock-killing mode on the Chargers’ final drive. Patterson has some last-gasp contingency appeal behind Vidal, but he would undoubtedly be part of an unsatisfying committee were Vidal to become the latest Chargers back befallen by injury.

Haskins will miss his second straight game with a strained hamstring, leaving RB Kimani Vidal in the featured role. Vidal can be started as a high-end RB2 against Tennessee’s banged-up defensive front. Backup RB Jaret Patterson rushed 11 times for 30 yards last week. He can be started for those desperately in need of an active running back, though he is not guaranteed to return FLEX value.

It looks like Jaret Patterson (11/30 against the Vikings in Week 8) will saunter into a desperation FLEX role behind Kimani Vidal against the Titans in Week 9. Haskins has dealt with chest and hamstring injuries since Vidal took the lead role from him against the Dolphins in Week 6 and doesn’t look particularly close to returning.

Patterson was clearly the backup to Kimani Vidal (23-117-1), but the 25-year-old did a solid job as the backup while receiving his first NFL touches since 2022. The former University of Buffalo star could be operate behind Vidal again in Week 9 against the Titans, but that will largely be determined by the health of Hassan Haskins (hamstring).

The Chargers are also getting RT Trey Pipkins III (knee) back this evening. This is great news for QB Justin Herbert as he prepares to face the Vikings’ top-tier blitz-based defensive scheme. The Chargers declared RB Hassan Haskins, CB Nikko Reed, OLB Kyle Kennard, OL Jamaree Salyer, OT Austin Deculus, WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith and TE Will Dissly inactive for Week 8 against the Vikings. With Haskins out, the Chargers have elevated RBs Nyheim Hines and Jaret Patterson from the practice squad.

The Chargers will likely promote one or more practice squad running backs to the active roster tomorrow. The available players include RBs Nyheim Hines, Amar Johnson and Jaret Patterson. All three profile as pass catchers and/or speedy change-of-pace players, so starting RB Kimani Vidal can be expected to continue handling a three-down workload. He is an RB2 this week.

Ferrell was the fourth pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, but he’s come nowhere close to living up to those expectations and served in a reserve role for the Commanders and 49ers over the past two seasons. The 28-year-old defender is released to make room for Jaret Patterson, who was signed to the practice squad in a corresponding transaction.

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.