Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick has already found a new home.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Patrick is expected to sign with the Detroit Lions on the practice squad. Schefter shared the news via Twitter/X.
A new home: Former Broncos WR Tim Patrick is expected to sign with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad with the idea that he will work his way on to the active roster, per sources. pic.twitter.com/96iA9Z0qCB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2024
In the past couple of days, the Broncos have been doing their best to try to trade Patrick. On Monday, the Broncos were looking for potential trade partners for Patrick. If a deal could not be finalized by Tuesday, he was expected to be released before rosters league-wide needed to be cut to 53 players.
Patrick ended up being released, and since he’s a veteran, he was free to sign with another team immediately.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton had high praise for the veteran pass catcher despite the team releasing him.
“A veteran, I’d say with a lot of grit with what he’s overcome,” Payton said. “He’s one of those players that’s very well respected and you feel his toughness.”
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Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
The 30-year-old has not played a game in the NFL since 2021, as he’s been battling several injuries. Patrick missed the 2022 season with a torn ACL that he suffered in training camp that summer. In 2023, he suffered a tone Achilles tendon, which was also suffered early in camp.
Patrick hopes to stay healthy for the entire season this time around, but it won’t be for the Broncos moving forward. The former 2017 undrafted pass catcher had spent the start of his career with the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. He was waived by both of those teams within the span of a couple months in 2017.
A month after the 49ers waived him, he signed onto the Broncos practice squad and has been a regular fixture with the team since then. In four playing seasons with the Broncos, virtually his entire career, he’s tallied 143 receptions on 236 targets for 2,009 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns, and averaged 14.0 yards per reception in 55 games and 37 starts.
His last two playing seasons were his best by far, as he played in 31 games and recorded 104 receptions for 1,476 yards and 11 touchdowns. If Patrick can find a similar groove with the Lions, they could end up being one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.
The California native attended the University of Utah, where he collected 61 receptions for 888 receiving yards and five touchdowns, averaging 14.6 yards per reception from 2014-16. He led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns in his senior year.
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