Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson injured his hip making the last of two paltry receptions early in the third quarter, joining Teddy Bridgewater on the sideline after the rookie quarterback was a late scratch because of a sprained ankle.
Patterson insisted he would have finished the game if it were not out of reach. Less certain is Minnesota's inability to re-integrate him into their scheme following his 102-yard rushing performance in Week 1.
"I wish I knew the answer," said Patterson, who finished with eight yards and was targeted just four times. "I want to be more involved. I don't know what's going on. We have a plan. I'm sticking to the plan. I trust coach (Norv) Turner and the whole staff with what they're doing. It's going to turn around. Hopefully I get more touches."
Patterson has only one carry since scoring on a spectacular 67-yard run against the Rams. What is more, he has averaged just 38 yards per game receiving.
"We've practiced getting carries," he said. "I guess we're just waiting on the right time. I'm not worried about it. When my number's called I'm ready for it. I'm just sitting back and being patient.
His owners also hope he gets more touches. He has averaged 15.8 YPC on 16 career carries and it's strange that Turner wouldn't hand him the ball 3-5 times per game with Adrian Peterson out of the picture. It's not that they've tried that and failed and have since moved on, he only has one carry since his 102-yard outing in Week 1. Also, we haven't seen very many bubble screens, which was Patterson's bread and butter as a rookie. He needs to be benched until Turner proves he can get him the ball.
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