The Minnesota Vikings are bringing in more help for the running back room, as starter Jordan Mason remains out with a thumb fracture.
ESPN’s Jeremey Fowler reported on Tuesday, September 22 that the team intends to add Jaret Patterson to the position group.
“The Vikings plan to sign free agent running back Jaret Patterson to the practice squad, per source,” Fowler wrote on X. “Patterson, who was with the [Los Angeles] Chargers in 2025, provides depth for Minnesota, which is dealing with injuries at running back.”
Patterson, who was with the Chargers in 2025, provides depth for Minnesota, which is dealing with injuries at running back.
Patterson, now 26 years old, was an undrafted rookie free agent out of Buffalo who signed with the Washington Commanders in 2021. He played two years for that franchise, appearing in 20 total games and earning one start.
The running back spent the last two campaigns with the Chargers, making seven appearances and starting the second contest of his NFL career over that stretch.
All told, Patterson has tallied 503 rushing yards and three TDs on the ground as well as 13 receptions for 81 yards.
Aaron Jones Sr. Played Well Against Bears, but Suffered Injury Scare
Minnesota’s top three running backs during the team’s win over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Week 2 were veteran Aaron Jones Sr., DeeJay Dallas and sixth-round rookie Demond Claiborne.
Jones was beyond solid in the wet conditions in Chicago on Sunday, tallying 105 yards on 23 carries (4.6 yards per attempt), but he also suffered a minor knee injury. Dallas added two carries for eight yards as well as a catch for 12 yards. Claiborne recorded one reception for two yards.
All told, Minnesota ran the football 28 times for 119 yards, which equates to an average of 4.3 yards per carry. That work was reasonable enough considering the weather, and the Vikings left the Windy City with a 9-3 victory, a record of 2-0 and the early NFC North Division lead.
Vikings Don’t Believe Demond Claiborne Ready for Major Role Yet
All that said, the Vikings are in a precarious position offensively.
Chicago’s defense was among the worst against the run last season, allowing 5.0 yards per carry. The Bears are not much better through two games this season, surrendering just under 4.9 yards per attempt across 50 carries logged against the defense (the Carolina Panthers gained 125 yards on 22 rushes in Week 1).
Jones, now a 10-year veteran, turns 32 years old in December. He missed five games due to injuries last season and six contests with the Green Bay Packers in 2023. Jones averaged just 11 carries per game for the Vikings in 2025, and it’s fair to assume that he can’t keep up the kind of workload he saw against Chicago in Week 2 for very long.
Claiborne could be the future of the position, but he struggled in the pass game during training camp and the preseason. The team’s decision to sign Dallas to the practice squad in early September after losing Zavier Scott to the Bears was a sign that Minnesota doesn’t see Claiborne as ready for even a split workload yet, as does Minnesota’s call not to hand him the football a single time against Chicago.
Patterson may never see the field in Minnesota, but he is a solid option for the top-three running back spots on the depth chart if another injury strikes before Mason can return to the huddle.
Vikings to Sign Ex-Chargers RB Amid Jordan Mason Injury