The fourth preseason game is reserved for those players either fighting for a roster spot, putting their best effort on film for another team or getting one final taste of professional football before they move onto a new career.
Patton will likely be in uniform and competing under one of those roles, but he shouldn’t have to.
The Chargers have three wide receivers who will presumably be in street clothes this Thursday night, meaning a spot on the roster is a sure thing. Those players are Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Travis Benjamin.