Sources – Lions to sign WR Tim Patrick to practice squad

Former Denver Broncos vast receiver Tim Patrick is predicted to signal with the Detroit Lions on the observe squad with the concept that he’ll work his approach onto the energetic roster, sources informed Adam Schefter.

The Broncos launched Patrick on Tuesday as they trimmed right down to 53 gamers.

“On behalf of everybody within the group, I simply cannot say sufficient nice issues about the kind of participant, the individual, Tim Patrick whereas he has been a Bronco for the previous seven seasons,” Broncos normal supervisor George Paton mentioned Tuesday.

Patrick missed the previous two seasons on account of harm however returned to take part totally in coaching camp this 12 months and had 5 catches for 44 yards and a landing within the preseason.

He missed the 2022 season with a torn ACL suffered in coaching camp that summer time after which missed 2023 with a torn Achilles tendon, additionally suffered early in camp. Patrick had — after the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers waived him in 2017 — scrapped his approach from the Broncos’ observe squad to a distinguished function within the offense over the 4 seasons that adopted.

Patrick, 30, has 143 receptions for two,009 yards and 12 touchdowns over 55 video games in his profession.

The Lions had been fascinated about Patrick after releasing veterans Donovan Peoples-Jones and Daurice Fountain, who had been each big-bodied vast receivers who weren’t in a position to totally separate themselves throughout coaching camp and the preseason. Patrick offers depth and could possibly be a useful function participant within the offense.

Lions coach Dan Campbell mentioned it “can be a luxurious to have” a much bigger vast receiver on the roster so as to add a flexible possibility.

“It helps, and I believe quite a lot of it’s — it comes into these one-on-ones to the place, ‘OK, you do not at all times should be in these cut-splits. Man, you’ll be able to simply get on the market and it is one-on-one and should you just like the matchup, who cares if he is pressed? Our man goes to beat your man,'” Campbell mentioned Monday. “And [Lions QB Jared] Goff is put into place to the place he can play rebound, he can play massive boys within the field and down on the block and goes to make a play for you.”

ESPN’s Jeff Legwold and Eric Woodyard contributed to this report.