The Strange, Wild Ride Of The New York Jets’ Dimitri Patterson

Oct 31, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback

(24) intercepts a pass in front of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver

(18) in the second quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

When the Jets finally signed Dimitri Patterson after missing out or passing on Vontae Davis, Aqib Talib, and anyone having the surname Cromartie there were a lot of questions. Questions about Patterson‘s durability abounded (Patterson has played in 72 games out of a possible 128 in his eight year career) as well as whether he was suited to play in the slot or outside. Those who questioned remain without answers as injuries to all of the muscles in his leg have forced him to either miss action or be completely ineffective when he tried to play through it.

More from Jets News

• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

This weekend the story took a weirder turn as Sunday afternoon General Manager John Idzik announced that Patterson left the team Friday and was absent without excuse. Apparently, he went through team meetings on Friday, did the walkthrough and ate the pre game meal before the Jets played the Giants and then never came back for the game. The team first thought he was stuck in traffic and made a bunch of calls to track him down to no avail. Finally they get a hold of Drew Rosenhaus, Patterson’s agent, on Saturday and he said that Patterson is safe and sound but apparently not when he is going to return. Then Patterson no-shows Sunday’s practice leading to Idzik’s announcement of the situation. Just two hours later Rosenhaus leaks it to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com that Patterson will return to the Jets late Sunday.

So now Patterson will be back in the same spot as he was Friday night with a body that just won’t stay healthy.  In addition, he now has questions about his mental state and he’s put himself in a position where he will have two days of practice before a game on Thursday that will determine whether or not his NFL career will continue. Hopefully Patterson will come out fighting with his back against the wall because if he doesn’t he will be knocked right off the roster.