Commanders claim kicker Riley Patterson off waivers

Have the Washington Commanders found themselves a kicker? On Wednesday, the Commanders claimed kicker Riley Patterson off waivers.

The addition of Patterson gives Washington two kickers in training camp, as he joins Ramiz Ahmed in a competition to be the kicker in 2024.

Patterson, 24, was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday after signing with them in February. It was Patterson’s second stint in Jacksonville.

After a standout career at Memphis, Patterson signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He was released with an injury settlement that summer. Patterson signed with the New England’s practice squad in October, and in November, the Lions signed him off the Patriots’ practice squad.

Patterson enjoyed some success with the Lions, even winning the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award once. The Lions waived him during final cuts the following summer.

The Jaguars claimed Patterson off waivers, and he spent the entire 2022 season as their kicker. Patterson made 30 of his 35 field-goal attempts that season and 36 of his 37 point-after attempts. Jacksonville traded Patterson back to Detroit after it signed Brandon McManus, coincidentally enough.

If you recall, the Commanders signed McManus in March but released him this summer due to sexual assault allegations.

The Lions waived Patterson in December 2023 and he was claimed by the Cleveland Browns for the remainder of last season.

For his career, Patterson has kicked in 39 games, making 59 of 67 attempts (88.1%) and 93 of 97 PATs (95.9%). He has made three of his six field goals from 50 yards or more and has a 47% touchback rate.

Patterson is young, and kickers don’t often stick until they’ve bounced around a bit. That’s certainly what the Commanders are hoping. Ahmed has been shaky through the first week of training camp.