FLOWERY BRANCH -- Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson returned to practice Friday.
He was limited and listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.
“Practice was good,” Patterson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It felt good to be back out there with the guys. I miss them boys. I miss being out there with them.”
Patterson did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was listed on the injury report as “resting player, knee.”
The Falcons (1-2) are set to face the Browns (2-1) at 1 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“We’ll assess it tomorrow; that’s why he’s questionable,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. “We’ll make a decision (Saturday).”
Patterson is coming off rushing for a career-high 141 yards, on 17 carries, in a 27-24 win over Seattle on Sunday. He has 49 carries this season over three games.
Patterson was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 3, the NFL announced Wednesday.
Smith does not have a mandatory practice rule. Some coaches used to require players to practice Wednesdays and Thursdays because those were the days that the game plan went in.
But times have changed, and teams manage health concerns differently.
“We did it with (tight end) Delanie Walker (in Tennessee),” Smith said. “We did it with Derrick Henry. We did it all the time with veterans like that. We try to manage it better and do what is best for your team.”
Patterson will have to satisfy the team and trainers Saturday that he’s ready to play.
“Make sure guys are healthy and that they can help you,” Smith said. “If they can’t, that’s why we have other guys on the roster. It’s my job to make sure that everybody is ready to play.”
Smith noted that he has contingency plans and doesn’t rely on one player.
Patterson was pleased to get the rest days.
“The most important thing is that nobody knows your body like you do,” Patterson said. “Coach always want to hear what the players have to say. That makes it special for us. Especially as an older guy. I’m not young any more. I’m not 21 anymore, so the body doesn’t heal like it use to. Coach always says you can come and talk to him if we are feeling anything. He does a good job of that.”
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The Bow Tie Chronicles
Atlanta Falcons 2022 NFL schedule
Sept. 11: Saints 27, Falcons 26
Sept. 18: Rams 31, Falcons 27
Sept. 25 Falcons 27, Seahawks 23
Oct. 2 vs. Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Oct. 16 vs. San Francisco, 1 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
Oct. 30 vs. Carolina, 1 p.m.
Nov. 6 vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10 at Carolina, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 20 vs. Chicago, 1 p.m.
Nov. 27 at Washington, 1 p.m.
Dec. 4 vs. Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.
BYE WEEK
Dec. 18 at New Orleans, TBD
Dec. 24 at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Jan. 1 vs. Arizona, 1 p.m.
Jan. 8 vs. Tampa Bay, TBD
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