The Detroit Lions have scoured the free-agent market for help at wide receiver after the team had just four on its initial 53-man roster following a disappointing offseason for the team’s depth options.
The Lions ultimately signed four players to their practice squad: Allen Robinson, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tom Kennedy and Tim Patrick, who was undoubtedly a popular choice among fans for the team.
But as Patrick revealed to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, he almost didn’t end up in Detroit because Denver Broncos almost made an exchange with the New Orleans Saints.
“Interesting from new Lions WR Tim Patrick. He said the Broncos told him they were trying to negotiate a trade with the Saints when they decided to release him after the preseason.” Birkett wrote on Thursday“The two sides were unable to reach an agreement and Patrick decided to sign with the Lions’ practice squad.”
It remains to be seen whether the Lions will deploy any of their new receivers in Week 1. Patrick said he’s still learning the playbook and getting a feel for how the team does things, which he admitted makes him feel like he’s not “a Detroit Lions” yet.
“It’s an opportunity if you can understand the playbook and you’re the guy we think you are, you’ll get the opportunity,” he said, according to John Maakaron of Sports Illustrated“I’m not going to accept anything. I’m still learning the game, I’m still learning the way they do things here. I signed with the Detroit Lions, but I don’t feel like a Detroit Lion yet because they do things differently here.”
Assuming they don’t promote him to the active roster, Patrick will have to be elevated from the practice squad to play in the season opener against the The Los Angeles Rams Sunday evening. We will know where he is on Saturday.
