Steelers Activate Kick Returner Cordarrelle Patterson from Injury List

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have elevated running back and kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson from the non-football injury list, according the NFL transactions report for Friday.

Patterson had yet to pass his camp-opening physical. He had been rehabilitating an offseason hamstring injury that also caused him to miss participating in most of the team’s OTA and minicamp session.

Patterson is eligible and dressed Friday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans, though with him having yet to practice with the team, it seems unlikely that he will get significant reps. He will have his first practice with the team back at St. Vincent College on Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson works at practice on Aug. 3, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Steelers signed Patterson to a two-year, $6 million deal, on the same day that the NFL passed new rules legislation that reformed the kickoff return.

Patterson is one of the best kickoff returners of his generation and a four-time All-Pro. He has had nine kickoff returns for touchdown in his career, and averages 29.3 yards per kickoff return. Last season with the Atlanta Falcons, he returned seven kicks for 153 yards — a 21.9 yards per return average.

In addition to his kickoff return duties, Patterson will likely also be the Steelers’ third running back. Originally a wide receiver when he was drafted in the first round out of Tennessee by the Minnesota Vikings in 2013, Patterson began to move into the backfield during his time with the Chicago Bears from 2019-20, and lined up almost exclusively as a running back the last three years in Atlanta.

The move from the NFI to the active roster does not impact the Steelers’ 90-man roster, which has one slot as of Friday night.