Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson will be a game-time decision vs. the New England Patriots on Thursday night after suffering an ankle injury.
Patterson practiced on a limited basis Tuesday and Wednesday and would have done so Monday as well had the Falcons had a workout.
"It's a short week. It's not like it's been any kind of 'Junction Boys'-style practice, but he's participated," Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. "We'll make the best decision tomorrow, probably pregame. We'll take that one all the way up."
Patterson is officially listed as questionable. Three Falcons are out -- tight end Hayden Hurst, linebacker Daren Bates and cornerback Kendall Sheffield. Safety Jaylinn Hawkins, who is considered a starter as the third safety, is also questionable.
The 30-year-old is in the midst of the best year of his career with Atlanta -- racking up 473 receiving yards and 303 rushing yards, already eclipsing the season highs in his prior eight years. He's also scored seven total touchdowns, equaling his rookie year in 2013. Patterson is Atlanta's leading rusher and second-leading receiver.
Patterson did not play in the second half of the team's 43-3 blowout loss to Dallas last week.
If Atlanta is without Patterson, it could use Mike Davis and Wayne Gallman as rushers and potentially a multitude of untested options at receiver.
"Whatever comes our way, the circumstances, we're in the solution business," Smith said. "That's what they pay me to do. They pay me to coach and to try and problem solve, and that's what my job is every day.
"I don't worry about things you can't control."