Vikings rookie wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has been limited in practice by a back injury this week, but it is not expected to hamper him when he makes his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Lions Sunday.
Given Patterson's nonexistent track record, it is difficult to figure out what to expect from the 29th overall pick in this year's draft. The Lions weren't particularly good at stopping wide receivers last season, but they did manage to shut the Vikings down in two contests, holding them to 212 yards on 17 catches. That was done by a different receiving corps, but it was the same quarterback under center, as Patterson will be trying to haul in passes from Christian Ponder.
Patterson has a ton of upside, but the Vikings have not shown an explosive passing game in the recent past. Fantasy owners are tantalized by Patterson's potential, but should not be relying on him until he shows he can translate that to production. Consider him just a low-end flex option at best for Week 1.