Vikings rookie Cordarrelle Patterson saw his first five kickoff return attempts result in touchbacks in his NFL debut Sunday.
New NFL rules have essentially taken kickoff returns out of the game. The league has adjusted the rules on kickoffs in recent years in an attempt to make the game safer by reducing the number of violent collisions on returns.
The number of touchbacks has increased dramatically, making it more difficult for returners to make an impact.
"It's kind of frustrating, but when I do touch the ball I try and make the most out of it," Patterson said. "When they kick it over my head, I wish they would kick it to me. There are some great kickers and there's going to be a lot that go over my head so I've got to live with it."
Patterson finally got his opportunity when caught one kickoff eight yards deep in the end zone and returned it 30 yards.
Asked if he brought that one out because he was losing his patience, Patterson said, "My coach [Mike Priefer] feels comfortable with me, whether I catch it eight or nine yards deep, he told me just bring it out," Patterson said. "He expects me to do good things."
As a receiver, Patterson played only five snaps and caught one pass for 10 yards, but he's not complaining.
"It really doesn't matter how many snaps I get," he said. "I make the most of the ones I get."
