Why Detroit Lion Giovanni Manu’s first NFL game was so special
Detroit Lion Giovanni Manu played in his first NFL game in August 2024. That game was special because it was a chance to make his parents proud.
It didn’t take long for the Detroit Lions to find help for their receiving corps.
The Lions are expected to sign veteran receiver Tim Patrick to their practice squad, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Patrick was released by the Denver Broncos as part of their cut down to a 53-player roster Tuesday. As a vested veteran, he is not subject to waivers.
The 30-year-old Patrick has spent parts of the past seven seasons with the Broncos, but missed the 2022-23 seasons with ACL and Achilles injuries. In 2021, he caught a career-high 53 passes for 734 yards and five touchdowns, and adds size (6 feet 4, 212 pounds) and a deep-play element to the Lions offense.
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The Lions kept just four receivers at Tuesday’s NFL roster deadline: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond and undrafted rookie Isaiah Williams. Jameson Williams is the only receiver taller than 6 feet.
Lions coach Dan Campbell acknowledged Monday the Lions were undersized at the position, but said adding a bigger receiver was not imperative for the offense.
“I wouldn’t say (not having one) limits us, but like any offense or defense, man, you want, ‘Give us everything,’” Campbell said. “If you can have it all, then you can use it all. But no, it’s not going to limit what we do. It would be a luxury to have.”
The Lions have one open spot on their 53-man roster, and could use that to add a player off waivers or another veteran, or save it for Patrick.
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They are expected to place defensive tackle John Cominsky on injured reserve in the coming days to create another opening, and have indicated they plan to re-sign nose tackle Kyle Peko, who they released as part of their initial roster cuts Tuesday.
In Denver, Patrick was the odd man out in a receiving corps that features Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, former Lions receiver Josh Reynolds and rookie Troy Franklin.
In 2021, the Lions acquired receiver Trinity Benson in a cut-day trade with the Broncos in an effort to bolster their receiver room. Benson caught 10 passes in nine games with the Lions over two seasons.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
