The Facts: Patterson is present at the Falcons mandatory minicamp but is not practicing according to D. Orlando ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Patterson, embarking on his age-31 season after a 2021 campaign in which he was Atlanta's leading rusher in an anemic offense, is "working on a vet offseason program to build him up," HC Arthur Smith told reporters.

Diehards Line: What that means is anyone's guess, but it seems Patterson is not going to see much, if any, action during minicamp. Smith said Patterson would be ready for the team's training camp next month. Originally a first-round pick out of Tennessee by the Minnesota Vikings way back in 2013, Patterson had the best season of his nine-year NFL career in 2021 with 618 rushing yards, 548 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns in 16 games. He is unlikely to see that kind of usage again after he wore down the final two months of the season and should see more use as a wideout in 2022.