St. Elizabeth star seeks roster spot with Chargers

PHILADELPHIA - Andre Patton doesn't mind being 3,000 miles away from Delaware, without any family or friends in Los Angeles with him.

This is his time, after all, and the former St. Elizabeth wide receiver wants to make the most of this opportunity with the Los Angeles Chargers.

"It's not so bad," Patton said. "It helps me focus on what I need to do. I have to be patient. My time is coming, and when it does, I have to make the best of it."

For now, though, Patton is on the Chargers' practice squad. That means he won't be in uniform this Sunday against the Eagles at the Stubhub Center. But Patton has been important in helping the host Chargers (0-3) prepare for the Eagles (2-1).

At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Patton is similar in size to Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. So in practice this past week, Patton spent his time on the scout team playing the role of Jeffery.

"I do what I can to give the defense the best looks possible," Patton said.

All the while, Patton is trying to learn as much as he can from Keenan Allen, the Chargers' top receiver. He was asked what he has learned from Allen, who had 1,046 yards receiving as a rookie in 2013 before slogging through injury-filled campaigns the previous two seasons.

"As much as this sport is physical, I've learned the most about the mental part," Patton said. "It was hard for me because in college [at Rutgers], things didn't go the way I wanted them to. So I feel like it was harder for me to be making it here.

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"I feel like I have a lot to prove because I know what I can do. I just needed to get my foot in the door."

The Chargers enabled Patton to do that, signing him as an undrafted free agent in May. Patton did the rest during the spring practices, training camp and preseason to make the Chargers want to put him on the practice squad after he was released before the season started.

In the four preseason games, Patton had three catches for 30 yards. But he also showed enough potential for the Chargers to feel like he could earn a spot on a 53-man roster at some point.

"He’s still developing to be a wide receiver," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. "He brings a great effort and work ethic to practice every day. He gives us great looks in scout teams _ sometimes too good. He’s coming along just fine."

At Rutgers, Patton felt like he didn't live up to his potential, partly because of the volatile situation there. Patton played with five different starting quarterbacks and four different offensive coordinators in four seasons.

In 44 games, Patton had 90 receptions for 1,164 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a team-high 5 TDs last season. He had 33 catches for 460 yards as a senior. While not eye-popping, teams were intrigued by Patton's size and his special-teams ability, a skill that could also help him make a 53-man NFL roster.

Patton is still working towards that. But for now, he knows his role.

"On the practice squad, you have to stay focused and do what you can to help the other guys get ready to play," Patton said. "But you also get to learn. I see how these guys prepare and use their techniques. Being with them every day, it's easier for them to help me tweak my technique and help me get better, too.

"That's what I'm trying to do _ get better every day."

Fletcher Cox out

Eagles coach Doug Pederson said defensive tackle Fletcher Cox won't play Sunday after suffering a calf injury last week against the Giants. Cox, a Pro Bowl selection the last two seasons, hasn't practiced all week.

Cox had played in 67 consecutive games. This season, he has two sacks.

The Eagles will try to replace him in multiple ways. Beau Allen will likely start next to Tim Jernigan. But in passing situations, the Eagles could slide Vinny Curry or Brandon Graham inside and use rookie Derek Barnett at defensive end.

"There's a lot of flexibility here," Pederson said. "We haven't made a final decision on that ... But somebody like Fletcher definitely draws a lot of double teams. People slide protection in that direction, and things of that nature. It can affect you a little bit."

Pederson said he doesn't think it's a mulitple-week injury for Cox, meaning there's a chance he could play next Sunday against Arizona.

Pederson said defensive backs Jaylen Watkins and Corey Graham won't play, either. Graham is the backup safety and Watkins has played there in the past. But Rodney McLeod, a starter alongside Malcolm Jenkins, is expected to play. He and the other two missed the game last week against the Giants. 

Chris Maragos, the third-string safety, started next to Jenkins. 

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.