Atlanta Falcons’ Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) on Thursday against New Engand Patriots

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons will face Cordarrelle Patterson, one of the team’s best guns, against the New England Patriots on Thursday night.

Patterson has suffered an ankle injury, and on Wednesday, head coach Arthur Smith said he would make the decision until playing time.

Patterson, Falcons ’second-leading recipient and leading rusher, is in the middle of a career year. The 30-year-old utility player already has 473 yards received and 303 running yards, covering season records for his previous eight years. He has also made a total of seven touchdowns, which is equivalent to the 2013 TD of his newcomer growth year.

Without Patterson, Atlanta will rely on Mike Davis, Wayne Gallman, and will be training the team to call Qadree Ollison on a busy mission. The team also raised Marvin Hall, a potential subfield threat, to give Atlanta a second reception option alongside Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe.

The Falcons also don’t have a tight-lipped Hayden Hurst placed in an injured reserve on Thursday due to an ankle injury. Atlanta signed a tight-lipped Parker to Hesse to help fill the vacuum.

The rest of Atlanta’s inactive are recipient Christian Blake, corner defender Kendall Sheffield, security Jaylinn Hawkins and defensive lineman John Cominsky, Marlon Davidson and Tyeler Davison.