As July approaches, Detroit fans are itching for football—and the Lions’ wide receiver Tim Patrick knows he can’t afford to let his guard down. With training camp just weeks away, Patrick must prove he deserves his spot on the roster, especially after a rollercoaster few seasons.
Patrick, 31, got a much-needed fresh start with the Lions last summer after being waived by the Broncos due to devastating back-to-back ACL and Achilles injuries. Detroit took a chance on him, and he rewarded their faith by suiting up for all 16 regular-season games and the Lions’ playoff matchup, racking up 33 receptions for 394 yards and three touchdowns. His performance earned him a respectable 65.7 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 71st among 125 receivers.
That was enough for the Lions to re-sign Patrick on a one-year, $2.5 million deal this offseason—but his roster spot is anything but guaranteed. Detroit added fresh talent to its wide receiver room, including third-round draft pick Isaac TeSlaa, who’s already generating buzz, and Dominic Lovett, who flashed his potential in the SEC. On top of that, veterans like Ronnie Bell, Tom Kennedy, and Malik Taylor are hungry for a shot and ready to pounce if Patrick stumbles.
Patrick’s path to cementing himself as Detroit’s WR3 is looking a lot more crowded. At 32 in November, any sign of decline could open the door for younger players to leapfrog him. In a league that’s always asking, “What have you done for me lately?” Patrick needs a strong, mistake-free camp to prove the Lions made the right call bringing him back—or risk being overtaken by the new faces eager to make their mark.
Lions WR Tim Patrick Faces Must-Win Training Camp to Keep Roster Spot
