David Montgomery started the week in concussion protocol, putting his status for the Bears’ Week 10 matchup in doubt. And because head injuries don’t have a set timetable for returns, there is no accurate way to predict when Montgomery could be back in the fold. Nevertheless, the show goes on and the next-man-up better be ready to step into a starter’s place.
So when asked who’s got next if Montgomery can’t play, Cordarrelle Patterson had an answer:
Cordarelle Patterson on if David Montgomery can't play: "Next man up, me."
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) November 12, 2020
I suppose the Bears could turn to Artavis Pierce, Ryan Nall, or even Lamar Miller if Montgomery can’t play. But Patterson is, in fact, the next man up based on the active depth chart. And while it’s easy to have soured on Patterson, the back, based on early returns, but I still have hope this can work out.
Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy said he was like a kid in a candy store when thinking about what Patterson could do in the offense. I also had big dreams after watching Patterson with the Patriots. Apparently, so does Patterson, as he seems ready to take on the challenges of being RB1 with open arms. Patterson should present mismatch problems when he is on the field because of how he can be deployed. The Bears should be using Patterson on end-arounds, reverses, jet sweeps, tosses, and more. That he can be used traditionally in the backfield and in various formations should be a strength. But instead, Nagy simply hasn’t carved out a role where the Bears’ offense can build off that potential.
Patterson has 29 carries for 88 yards this season. That comes out to a painful-to-look-at 3.0 yards per carry average. And since gaining 44 yards on 11 carries over his first two games, Patterson has just 44 yards on 18 carries in seven games since. It’s all a mess at the moment, so Patterson isn’t alone here.
I refuse to bet against anyone with Patterson’s drive. So I’ll admit to feeling that — if Patterson is RB1 in Week 10 — he’ll have a good week against a Vikings team that drafted him.