The Los Angeles Chargers today activated linebacker Junior Colson from Reserve/Injured; Designated for Return. The team elevated running back Jaret Patterson and safety Kendall Williamson from the practice squad and also downgraded linebacker Denzel Perryman to out for Sunday's game.
Selected in the third round (69th overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chargers, Colson appeared in six games for the Bolts this season, totaling 13 tackles (seven solo) and a pass defensed on defense, while adding a special teams tackle. He was a second-team All-Big Ten selection each of the last two seasons at Michigan after leading the team in tackles in 2022 (101) and 2023 (95). He ended his Michigan career by starting all 15 games in 2023, leading the nation's top-ranked defense as the Wolverines went on to record an undefeated season and win the College Football Playoff National Championship. Colson was voted as the program's toughest player by his teammates in 2023 and was on the watchlist for multiple national awards.
Over his three seasons (2021-23) in Ann Arbor, Mich., Colson started 36-of-43 contests at linebacker, posting 257 tackles (114 solo), 8.5 sacks, 2.5 sacks, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He was a Freshman All-American in 2021 after contributing on defense and special teams in his first season with the Wolverines.
Patterson appeared in 20 games, including a start, with Washington after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He totaled 344 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 85 attempts (4.0 avg.), while hauling in 10 passes for 73 yards (7.3 avg.) over two seasons (2021-22) in the nation's capital. The Glendale, Md., native spent last season on the practice squad for the Bolts and Commanders.
In three seasons at the University at Buffalo (2018-20), Patterson was a two-time team captain and had three-straight 1,000-yard campaigns on the ground. Patterson finished his Bulls career ranked No. 1 rushing touchdowns (52) in program history and second in rushing yards (3,884) and 100-yard performances (15). He set single-season school records with 1,799 rushing yards and 19 touchdown runs in 2019, tying his own record a season later with another 19 rushing scores. Patterson ran for 409 yards and eight touchdowns against Kent State in 2020, the most rushing scores by any FBS player in over 25 years, eventually earning recognition as All-America from The Associated Press and Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
Originally a seventh-round selection (258th overall) by the Chicago Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft, Williamson spent time with the Bears and Buffalo Bills before joining the Los Angeles practice squad in October. He played four seasons (2018-22) at Stanford, earning Academic All-Pacific-12 honors each season and appearing in 43 career games. Williamson totaled 179 tackles (121 solo) for the Cardinal, adding a sack, an interception, 13 pass breakups and a pair of forced fumbles.
