Lions WR ends nearly three-year wait with two TDs vs. Packers

DETROIT – The last two years have been an exercise in patience for Tim Patrick.

The Lions wide receiver suffered season-ending preseason injuries in both 2022 and 2023, keeping him off the field for two full seasons while emerging as a consistent threat for the Denver Broncos.

After going through it, Patrick’s three-month wait for a touchdown this season with the Lions was easy.

Patrick ended the wait when he scored his first two touchdowns in a Lions uniform during Detroit’s 34-31 win over the Packers on Thursday night.

Patrick had waited more than 1,000 days to return to an NFL end zone since he last did so on Dec. 19, 2021. When he returned Thursday, he did so a changed player.

“I just know I can overcome anything because I’ve been through everything,” Patrick said.

Patrick joined the Lions in late August to fill the team’s need for a third wide receiver, but has largely taken a back seat amid strong seasons from Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. He entered the game with 21 catches and 306 yards in 12 games.

Patrick said he was patient in working his way into a role with a returning playoff team with a solid core of players.

“The thing with this team, you just have to build confidence,” Patrick said. “They built this thing a couple of years ago and I’m one of the new guys. The confidence in everybody else is so much higher and I just have to continue to earn that confidence week in and week out.” week in.”

However, his teammates and coaches appreciated Patrick’s approach and willingness to act as a blocker in the run.

“What a great addition he’s been,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “He just continues to make plays for us in the run game and the passing game that has picked up big here.”

And his lack of a touchdown was starting to get his teammates’ attention.

“He’s been so consistent since he got here as far as being unselfish, blocking, doing everything right and he hasn’t had a touchdown,” Lions quarterback Jared Goff said.

On an evening when St. Brown recorded his fewest receiving yards since Week 7, Patrick’s contribution proved key to helping the Lions hold off a division rival and clinch a playoff berth.

Patrick got his long-awaited touchdown with five minutes left in the third quarter when the Lions used a quick snap on 4th-and-goal to catch the Packers’ defense off guard. Patrick turned in the end zone to catch a laser from Goff.

With eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, Patrick again caught a pass in the end zone from inside the 5-yard line, this time on a play-action play. Both of his touchdowns gave the Lions the lead back.

He also had a critical 11-yard catch on the Lions’ final drive that took the Lions down to the Packers’ 40-yard line and helped set up a game-winning field goal.

“I’m going to learn something new every week, I’ve got a lot of things I can work on, but it’s good to be able to work on things while I’m winning,” Patrick said. “I feel like the coaching staff knows that and I’m going to keep getting stronger, getting better throughout the season and hopefully I’ll peak at the right time.”

• BET: Check out our guide to best michigan sportsbookswhere our team of sports betting experts have reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds for several sportsbooks.