The Cleveland Browns may be off to a shocking 3-1 start, but there is always room for improvement and there are too many games left to play for anyone to get complacent. Cleveland hits the road to take on a New York Jets team in Week 5 that has lost three in a row, and if the Browns win, it will sadly tie the organization’s longest winning streak over the past 40 years as the Browns haven’t won five in a row since 1986.
One area where the Browns could stand to improve is in the running game. Many believed this offense was set to be built around a potentially great rushing attack led by Quinshon Judkins, but he has just 177 yards and one touchdown through for games on a disappointing 3.0 yards per carry. Only eight carries have gone to other running backs so far, so this rushing attack begins and ends with the second-year back out of Ohio State.
With Dylan Sampson still on IR, the Browns appear to be in the market for some reinforcements who might be able to help Judkins out at some point this season. Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot shared on Wednesday that help has officially arrived in the form of former Los Angeles Chargers running back Jaret Patterson, who has officially signed to the practice squad.
“Browns have signed RB Jaret Patterson to the practice squad. Patterson (5-8, 195) is officially in his 3rd season out of Buffalo. Originally signed as an UDFA by Washington ’21, has appeared in 27 games w/ Commanders (2021-22) & Chargers (2023-25),” Cabot posted.
#Browns have signed RB Jaret Patterson to the practice squad. Patterson (5-8, 195) is officially in his 3rd season out of Buffalo. Originally signed as an UDFA by Washington '21, has appeared in 27 games w/ Commanders (2021-22) & Chargers (2023-25).
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 7, 2026
The 26-year-old Patterson saw some time in the Chargers’ backfield last year due to all their injuries and ran for 159 yards and a touchdown in six games. For his career, he has rushed for 503 yards and three touchdowns in 26 games.
One analyst even encouraged the Browns to explore a trade for Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard in a deal that would send Jerry Jeudy to Tennessee. It’s not the kind of deal you usually see in the NFL, but if the Browns keep winning and plan on being buyers going into the trade deadline, Pollard would be an interesting piece to add to the backfield.
We’ll see if Patterson can work his way up to the active roster over the coming weeks. If Judkins is unable to get it going soon, it wouldn’t be unrealistic to see a new face or two get an opportunity.
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