Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick is set to join the Detroit Lions practice squad, with hopes of moving up to the active roster soon, according to sources. Patrick was released by the Broncos earlier this week as they finalized their roster to 53 players.
Broncos general manager George Paton expressed admiration for Patrick, who played for the team for seven seasons, stating, “On behalf of everyone in the organization, I just can’t say enough great things about the type of player and the person Tim Patrick.”
Patrick has faced significant injuries in recent years, missing the last two seasons. However, he made a comeback this year, participating fully in training camp and recording five catches for 44 yards and a touchdown during the preseason. He was unable to play in 2022 due to a torn ACL and missed the 2023 season with a torn Achilles tendon.
At 30 years old, Patrick has accumulated 143 receptions for 2,009 yards and 12 touchdowns across 55 games in his NFL career. The Lions expressed interest in bringing him on board after releasing veterans Donovan Peoples-Jones and Daurice Fountain, who struggled to secure a solid position during training camp and preseason.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell highlighted the benefit of having a larger receiver on the team, suggesting it would provide a versatile option in the offense. He noted that this could enhance matchups in one-on-one situations and give quarterback Jared Goff more opportunities to make plays.