4 Commanders whose jobs are in danger after the 2023 preseason opener
By Dean Jones
Jaret Patterson - Commanders RB
Plenty of players got touches out of the backfield during the Washington Commanders' preseason win over the Cleveland Browns. No fewer than eight individuals were credited with rushes throughout the contest, which also included quarterback runs from Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett, and Jake Fromm.
In terms of the running backs, it was pretty encouraging. Chris Rodriguez Jr. was the standout performer, with projected starter Brian Robinson Jr. averaging almost six yards per carry from his three touches before being replaced.
It wasn't all a bed of roses, however. Jaret Patterson struggled to get anything going when called upon, which resulted in just 16 rushing yards from six touchdowns for the player in Preseason Week 1.
Again, much will depend on how many running backs the Commanders end up taking through. One suspects the top three to be Robinson, Antonio Gibson, and Rodriguez, so the hopes of Patterson and others are hanging by a thread currently.
One solace Patterson can take from the game was that Derrick Gore didn't exactly thrive, either. But unlike the former Buffalo college star, he has a previous working relationship with Eric Bieniemy and is probably trusted more to produce the goods in a competitive environment.
It'll be interesting to see how things play out. But this did nothing to quash the concerns about Patterson's place on the team in 2023.