The Vikings are formally acknowledging that receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has been demoted.

Anyone who has watched the Vikings over the past two weeks surely saw that Charles Johnson has overtaken Patterson in the starting lineup. Johnson started both games and played all but three snaps. Patterson, meanwhile, played just three offensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Panthers.

But it is noteworthy when the coaching staff comes out and admits it like offensive coordinator Norv Turner did this afternoon.

(An example of the reluctance to do such a thing: The Vikings listed Vladimir Ducasse as the starter at right guard for a few weeks even though Joe Berger was the one continuing to play there.)

Anyway, here is what Turner said today when asked his weekly question about Patterson's role.

"I expect Cordarrelle to play and play like he has," Turner said. "But you know, C.J. is playing at high level. C.J. is the starter at [the split end receiver position]. That's the position that Cordarrelle plays. We'll give him some opportunities to play there, but C.J. is playing at a real high level right now."

After Sunday's win, a frustrated Patterson expressed confusion over why he only played three offensive snaps. Coach Mike Zimmer later explained that Patterson had missed the Wednesday and Thursday practices of last week, making it difficult to work him into the game plan. Today, Turner echoed those comments, though he did say he understands Patterson's frustration.

"I think anyone that is a situation where he didn't play last week would be frustrated. But Cordarrelle knows that he wasn't here all week," Turner said. "He was out of town at a funeral. It's hard to get ready. We had a totally different game plan for Carolina."

Patterson said again today that having a smaller role has been frustrating for him, while making sure to say all the right things about the Vikings winning being the most important thing for him.

"We all get frustrated. Not just with me, but every receiver," said Patterson, who has 30 catches for 350 yards and a touchdown. "They want the ball, they want to play and opportunities get low sometimes. You just got to be the better person and don't take it too personal."

Patterson said he hopes he gets more than three offensive snaps this week, and Turner said that he expects Patterson to be a "big-time player in this offense as we go forward."

But for the time being, Patterson will take a backseat to Johnson, who is making the plays that the second-year wide receiver wasn't as the starter at the X receiver spot.