Lions reportedly taking intriguing gamble on free-agent WR

It did not take wide receiver Tim Patrick long to find a new team following his release from the Denver Broncos on Tuesday.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Detroit Lions are expected to sign Patrick to their practice squad with the intention of him working his way on to their active roster.

It was only a few years ago that Patrick was an effective wide receiver for the Broncos, recording at least 50 catches and 700 yards in back-to-back years during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. But a series of season-ending injuries in 2022 and 2023 robbed him of two years of his career and have kept him off the football field ever since.

But he was back on the field this preseason, catching all five passes thrown his direction for 44 yards and a touchdown.

Despite being back on the field and looking productive, the Broncos still cut him (money was likely a factor) and allowed him to become a free agent.

If Patrick can get back to the level of play he showed in 2020 and 2021, he would be a great complementary addition to a wide receiver room in Detroit that already includes Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. The concern is whether or not that is possible. After two years away from game action due to injury, as well as the fact that he is now 30 years old (and turns 31 in November), it is possible his ability has slipped a bit.

The good news is that the Lions are not going to require him to be a focal point of the offense. They just need him to be a secondary option and provide some depth.

It is an intriguing gamble on a talented player who has shown an ability to produce in the NFL.