84 Cordarrelle Patterson WR

Though the versatile Patterson profiles as "a gadget guy" for the Falcons, Tori McElhaney of The Athletic suggests the 30-year-old, who can also feature as a wideout and returner, could be used in a more traditional backfield role this coming season.

Unless the Falcons make a move to bolster their backfield personnel, Patterson's main competition for backup slotting behind presumed starter Mike Davis figures to come from Qadree Ollison, Tony Brooks-James and Javian Hawkins. Once training camp gets rolling, we should gain added clarity with regard to the team's running back pecking order, but this is a situation to monitor, given that Atlanta no longer rosters its top three rushers (Todd Gurley, Brian Hill and Ito Smith) from 2020.

Patterson is signing a one-year, $3 million contract with the Falcons, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

The 30-year-old is best known for his work on kick returns but can also provide depth at running back or wide receiver. The Bears used him as a backup RB last season, with Patterson taking 64 carries for 232 yards (3.6 YPC) and catching 21 passes for 132 yards (6.3 YPR). He isn't exactly a natural in the backfield, but Patterson could be in the mix for backup work, especially if the Falcons don't bring in an early draft pick on a back. It's also possible he shifts back to a depth role at wide receiver.

Patterson doesn't seem likely to re-sign with Chicago, according to SI.com's Gene Chamberlain.

Given their hefty salary commitments and unsettled QB situation, the Bears don't seem likely to spend significant money on a player who primarily makes an impact on special teams. Patterson did add backup RB work to his bag of tricks in 2020, but he averaged only 3.6 yards per carry and 6.3 per reception, while starter David Montgomery put up 4.3 YPC and 8.1 YPR. In any case, the Bears hope to have Tarik Cohen (knee) back in the mix next season, so Patterson won't necessarily get carries even if the team somehow manages to keep him around at a reasonable price. He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March.

Patterson rushed four times for 18 yards in the Bears' 35-16 loss to the Packers on Sunday.

Patterson had just six touches over the final three games of the season, and on the year, he rushed 64 times for 232 yards and a touchdown while catching 21 passes for an additional 132 yards. After the Bears complete their playoff run, he's set to hit unrestricted free agency, and he'll likely remain a borderline fantasy option.

Patterson (knee) is listed as active heading into Sunday's game against the Packers.

Given Sunday's injury report, the special-teams guru will remain without a regular-season absence for the seventh time in eight pro campaigns. He's enjoying yet another prolific season on returns, resulting in his second straight Pro Bowl nod. Patterson has also taken on a role as Chicago's No. 2 back, garnering 10-plus carries on two separate occasions since Week 10.

Patterson (knee) carries a questionable designation into Sunday's game against the Packers after participating fully in Friday's practice.

Patterson submitted full sessions Wednesday and Friday, but the versatile veteran still carries an injury tag into a vital Week 17 home game against Green Bay. Having just earned his second Pro Bowl nod in as many years, Patterson remains an elite special-teams contributor, compiling an NFL-high 964 kickoff return yards and one return touchdown in 2020. Patterson has also contributed 126 rushing yards and one rushing TD over 31 attempts the past seven weeks, as he continues to step in as the No. 2 back in the absence of Tarik Cohen (knee-ACL). Patterson hasn't missed a game all year, and he's only sat out one of a possible 127 regular-season contests since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2013.

Patterson didn't play on offense in Sunday's 41-17 win over the Jaguars, JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Patterson dealt with a knee injury during the practice week, so perhaps that led to the decision to restrain his usage to just three snaps, all on special teams. The blowout nature of the game and David Montgomery's success may have been factors as well. It'll be interesting to see how Patterson is used in the season finale against the Vikings.

Patterson (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

The 29-year-old was considered questionable after sitting out practice all week, but he's ready to go for Sunday's contest. Patterson should continue to operate as Chicago's primary kick returner and secondary running back behind starter David Montgomery.

Patterson (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Jacksonville.

The Bears listed Patterson as a non-participant Wednesday through Friday, suggesting he's in serious danger of missing Sunday's game. An absence would leave Ryan Nall and Artavis Pierce as the reserve backfield options, picking up whatever scraps three-down workhorse David Montgomery leaves behind.

Patterson (knee) missed Thursday's practice.

Patterson's usage in the Bears offense has been sporadic, per usual, with seven games with at least five touches and three others with two or fewer in his 14 appearances this season. On Monday, coach Matt Nagy considered Patterson day-to-day this week, but he has yet to get on the practice field in any capacity. Patterson has one more chance to prove the health of his knee ahead of Sunday's game at Jacksonville.

Patterson (knee) was listed as a non-participant in Chicago's practice estimate Wednesday.

The Bears held a walkthrough practice, but Patterson would not have been able to take the field had it been a more traditional session. Coach Matt Nagy labeled the return man and backup running back day-to-day Monday, but Patterson will likely need to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday in order to have a realistic shot of suiting up Sunday in Jacksonville.

Coach Matt Nagy said Monday that Patterson (knee) is considered day-to-day ahead of a Week 16 matchup versus the Jaguars.

Patterson suffered this injury during the second quarter but was able to return after halftime. He will be monitored throughout the week. The day-to-day tag signals that Patterson has a good chance to play Sunday in a must-win contest. His main contributions come on special teams, since David Montgomery is operating as a bell cow. Patterson leads the league with 942 yards on kick returns this year.

Patterson caught one pass for four yards while adding a three-yard rush in the Bears' 33-27 victory over the Vikings on Sunday.

With David Montgomery carrying the team on his back with 32 carries, Patterson was an afterthought in the Chicago offense, resulting in the fourth time this season he produced fewer than 10 rushing and receiving yards. Due to his inconsistent role in the offense, he'll be difficult to trust in Week 16 fantasy lineups despite a favorable matchup against the Jaguars.

Patterson (knee) is back on the field Sunday against the Vikings, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 29-year-old left due to the knee injury just before halftime, but he was able to retake the field in the second half. Patterson should continue to work as the secondary running back and primary kickoff returner for the Bears.

Patterson is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Vikings due to a knee injury, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The 29-year-old had one carry for three yards, one receptions for four yards and returned one kickoff for 19 yards before leaving the contest. Ryan Nall would serve as Chicago's secondary running back and Anthony Miller could be the return man if Patterson can't return after halftime.

Patterson rushed six times for 26 yards in Chicago's 36-7 victory over the Texans on Sunday.

Patterson continued to serve as the change-of-pace running back to David Montgomery, and he was targeted just once as a receiver. Although he came into this game posting at least 40 combined yards in three straight contests, his lack of upside combined with a low-scoring floor makes him a difficult player to trust in the fantasy playoffs.

Patterson rushed 10 times for 59 yards and a touchdown while adding a four-yard reception in Chicago's 34-30 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

With the Bears leading for the majority of this contest, they were able to have balance between the run and the pass for one of the few times this season, leading to Patterson having an effective performance as the backup running back to David Montgomery. He's now posted at least 40 combined yards as a rusher and receiver in two of his last three games, and although his upside is typically limited, he could be used as an emergency option in deep leagues during the fantasy playoffs.

Patterson rushed twice for eight yards in Chicago's 41-25 loss to the Packers on Sunday.

After posting at least 40 yards in each of the last two games, Patterson posted his third game of the season with fewer than 10 rushing and receiving yards. Aside from leagues that award points for return yardage, he'll continue to be a low-upside fantasy option.

Patterson (calf) logged a full practice session Thursday.

Patterson popped up on the injury report Wednesday, logging a limited session, but he's already back to full speed with a Week 12 matchup against Green Bay approaching. David Montgomery (concussion) notching full practices in consecutive days may lead to mitigated involvement on the ground for Patterson, after the veteran collected a season-high 12 rushing attempts Week 10 against Minnesota. Patterson does maintain a receiving role, however, with multiple receptions in four consecutive games.

Patterson logged a limited practice session Wednesday due to a calf injury.

The origin of the calf issue is unclear, but the fact Patterson was able to practice -- albeit in limited fashion -- bodes well for his availability Sunday against the Packers. However, with David Montgomery (concussion) expected to return to action, Patterson's temporary role as the team's starting running back has likely come to an end.