Tim Patrick catches first two touchdowns since 2021 to help Lions clinch postseason berth

It was a win that left Lions head coach Dan Campbell smiling and extolling his pride in how it has responded to injuries and exemplified perseverance.

In many ways, it was a game symbolic of Patrick’s recent NFL journey, who hadn’t seen a touchdown since Week 15 of the 2021 season with the Denver Broncos.

“Today seemed like his day, down there in the red zone for sure,” said Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who did everything to make sure Patrick got the ball from his first TD. “And he’s been so consistent since he got here, as far as being unselfish, blocking, doing everything right, and he hasn’t gotten a touchdown. What week are we in, 14, 15, whatever? Haven’t gotten a touchdown. ’til today and had two of them. And he deserves it, man, he’s a stud and I’m so glad he’s on our team.”

Patrick is an undrafted free agent who began his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers franchises, eventually joining the Broncos. He was with the Broncos from 2017 through this past offseason, playing his first official NFL game in 2018. He worked his way into being a starter, posting back-to-back 700-yard receiving seasons in 2020 and 2021.

He had made it. And then disaster struck in the form of a torn ACL suffered in training camp ahead of a 2022 season he would miss entirely. Patrick recovered and came back only to tear his Achilles in camp before a 2023 campaign he would never play a down in either.

This year, Patrick made it through training camp and delivered a promising preseason, seemingly building a relationship on the field with rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Nevertheless, his career took another hit when he was released by the Broncos. He quickly landed in Detroit as a signee to the team’s practice squad.

“What a great addition he’s been and he just continues to make plays for us in the run game and in the passing game,” Campbell said. “Got up big. Man, we’re talking about catching a knife like you make the catch, turn and run. Catch it, stab it, turn and run. If you can only get five, get us six If you can only get seven, you gotta get us eight. And man, he did that multiple times and he’s coming up with the two big touchdowns for us. He’s been an incredible addition stud.”

Heading into Thursday night, Patrick had seen action in 11 of Detroit’s first 12 games with five starts, 21 receptions and 306 yards. However, the end zone had eluded him.

That all changed in the third quarter when the Lions suddenly trailed for the first time all night, 21-17. Facing fourth-and-goal, Campbell went for it and Patrick picked him up and hauled in a 3-yard laser from Goff for the six.

Green Bay answered with a long scoring drive to retake the lead, but the Goff-Patrick connection wasn’t done.