PITTSBURGH — The Steelers made a beeline to Cordarrelle Patterson in free agency when the NFL passed its new kickoff rule intended to put that play back into the game. He’s an all-timer as a specialist, and suddenly, there was possibly a new need for his specialty.

Ironically, through his first three games in Pittsburgh, he’s watching kicks sail over his head and putting his hand in the pile for the offense. Not bad for a 33-year-old who seems to reinvent himself everywhere he goes.

“I wouldn't kick it to me either,” Patterson said after practice Friday. “If they want to kick it to me, man, and kick it to one of the best in the league? Go ahead. We’ve got a good plan. We’ve been working on it … just trying to figure out how to get the ball in my hands on kickoff return, but if not, we’ll try to work on offense and do a little more there.”

Opportunity knocks this weekend with No. 2 running back Jaylen Warren out for the Colts game because of a knee injury. Patterson is now next up behind Najee Harris, who referred to his new backup as a future Hall of Famer — his nine career kickoff return touchdowns are an NFL record — and a veteran who can fit in any offense.

But Patterson is a particularly good fit here, given that he spent the past three seasons with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Atlanta. Patterson joked that he was going to text Smith after the Chargers game if he didn’t get the ball more than the first two weeks.

“I just think Arthur felt pressure,” Patterson deadpanned. “I think he felt that, so he got me a couple plays in there.”

In all seriousness, it was Warren’s lack of availability that contributed to Patterson getting seven touches — one more than the first two games combined. But Patterson made the most of them, rushing for 33 yards on just four carries and catching three passes for 15 yards.

Warren’s always been a good change-of-pace fastball behind the powerful Harris. Now we’ll see if Patterson can provide some punch when he gets his chances, too.

“Credit to him, because he's embraced it, and he can do multiple jobs,” Smith said. “If you're short wideouts or tight ends or backs, you're talking about a valuable game-day roster player.”

Leal in line for more, too

Warren isn’t the only significant absence for Indianapolis. The Steelers also will be without starting outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, which means a starting role for Nick Herbig but likely increased snaps for DeMarvin Leal as the No. 3 pass rusher.

Leal was drafted as a defensive end and played there primarily his first two seasons. He’ll need to make like Patterson and turn his in-between traits into a strength rather than a weakness.

“He’s shown a lot of versatility in his pass-rush moves, and obviously, he can stop the run,” T.J. Watt said Friday. “He’s a big guy. He’s not just powerful like he looks. He has a lot of finesse to him. He’s come a long way, and I’m really excited for him to get some playing time.”

Other injuries

Starting left guard Isaac Seumalo managed to get in a third consecutive limited practice this week but is listed as doubtful, so look for rookie Mason McCormick to fill in from the get-go this time and take off the rotational training wheels with Spencer Anderson.

Quarterback Russell Wilson is questionable again and still has yet to log a full practice. Reserve tight end MyCole Pruitt has been ruled out for the second game in a row with a knee injury.

The Colts will be without two of their best defensive players, pass rusher Kwity Paye and slot cornerback Kenny Moore, due to quadricep and hip injuries, respectively.

©2024 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.