Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said too much is being made of the Cordarrelle Patterson situation.
Patterson played just three offensive plays in the Vikings 31-13 victory over Carolina on Sunday. While Patterson expressed some frustration after the victory, Zimmer said his lack of involvement in the offense was because of Patterson’s absence from practice earlier in the week.
“We made this thing to be way bigger than what it is,” Zimmer told reporters during his Monday press conference.
Mike Zimmer said Cordarrelle Patterson was gone for the funeral Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but also had knee issue.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 1, 2014
According to Zimmer, the Vikings were unsure of Patterson’s status for Carolina after he injured his knee in their loss to Green Bay.
“He was gone Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so it was kind of hard to evaluate him,” said Zimmer. “When he came back on Friday his knee looked all right.”
The Vikings didn’t seem to be affected too much without Patterson on the field. Teddy Bridgewater connected on 16 of 21 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
Patterson told the Pioneer Press he felt his knee was fine, but he thinks the coaches didn’t want him to play too much because of the injury.
There were high hopes for Patterson coming into the season, but the second-year pro has just 30 catches for 350 yards so far this season. Following the game on Sunday, he expressed some frustration.
I asked Patterson what he needs to do to prove to coaches he can play: "You'll have to ask them. If you find out,let me know." Oof. #Vikings
— David McCoy (@mccoympls) November 30, 2014
But Zimmer said he is in Patterson’s corner.
“We all want instant gratification, including myself, but sometimes this takes a little bit longer,” said Zimmer. “I have high hopes for him, I’m in his corner, I want him to be a good player.”
But Zimmer acknowledged that it may not happen right away and referenced his time in Cincinnati when it just took more time for some of his young defensive players.
