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Report: Detroit Lions to sign veteran WR Tim Patrick to practice squad

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Report: Detroit Lions to sign veteran WR Tim Patrick to practice squad


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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.

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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.

DAVE BIRKETT: Lions cut backup QB Nate Sudfeld: Here’s why it’s a wise move

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.

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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.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions rule out All-Pro safety, list 7 others as questionable vs. Rams

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Detroit Lions rule out All-Pro safety, list 7 others as questionable vs. Rams


ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions will be without safety Kerby Joseph again this weekend, while listing seven other players as questionable.

Joseph and fellow safety Brian Branch were the only players ruled out ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. Branch is out for the season due to an Achilles injury, but has not been placed on injured reserve yet. And Joseph, who will now miss his eighth straight game, suffered a setback and could be a candidate for injured reserve, per Dan Campbell.

The Lions listed tight end Shane Zylstra (knee), running back Sione Vaki (thumb), wide receiver Kalif Raymond (ankle), guard Christian Mahogany (fibula), safety Thomas Harper (concussion protocol), left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder/rest) and guard Kayode Awosika (foot) as questionable.

Decker has not practiced this week. But he’s been dealing with a shoulder injury all season and is coming off playing three games in less than two weeks. Awosika missed last week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys due to his foot injury. The veteran guard has practiced in a limited capacity all week long.

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Trystan Colon and Miles Frazier split duties at left guard last week for Awosika. The Lions will have a decision to make there between those three options, but perhaps for only another weekend.

Mahogany returned to practice this week. He seems like a longshot to play this weekend based on his injury. But the Lions are listing him as questionable after logging three limited practices in his first action back on the field.

Zylstra has been back at practice for two weeks in his return from injured reserve. Heading into the weekend, the Lions have only one tight end on their 53-man roster (Anthony Firkser) and hope to get Zylstra back.

Campbell said Harper has a chance to play against the Rams despite spending the week in concussion protocol. The Lions could sure use Harper, with Branch and Joseph both out, to hold things down at safety with Avonte Maddox against the high-powered Rams.

“Harper will be out there at practice today, so feel pretty good about him, but we’ll see,” Campbell said on Friday morning. “There again, I can’t give you definitives right now, but that’s kind of where we’re at.

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“So, we’ll be good. Look, (Erick) Hallett’s been taking reps, (Daniel Thomas) DT’s been taking reps, Maddox has been taking reps. We’ve got plenty of guys. They’re getting valuable reps, so we’re good.”

Raymond has missed two consecutive games due to an ankle injury suffered against the New York Giants. He has a shot to return after working back into practice, and should reclaim his role returning punts.

Vaki has continued to play through his thumb injury. He hasn’t returned kickoffs since suffering the injury, with Tom Kennedy and Jacob Saylors taking over.



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Oilers turn in smart, defensive game and Hyman hat trick for 4-1 win over Detroit: Cult of Hockey Player Grades

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Oilers turn in smart, defensive game and Hyman hat trick for 4-1 win over Detroit: Cult of Hockey Player Grades


CONNOR McDAVID. 9. In a quiet first minutes of this one McDavid had the most dangerous shot for, glancing off Talbot’s shoulder and out. Terrific patience on the doorstep before dishing to Hyman for the 1-0. Nearly outwaited Talbot again later in the frame. Dished the disk back to Ekholm on the 2-0. Pranced in and rifled a backhand off Talbot. Hi-lite reel assist on the 3-1, where he knocks down a puck then puts a backhand through his own legs to a waiting Hyman alone in the slot. An assist on the 4-1, for his forty-third four-point game. 63% on faceoffs. Second Star.



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SAY Detroit unveils plans for new play center on city’s west side

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SAY Detroit unveils plans for new play center on city’s west side


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SAY Detroit had a surprise in store during its 14th annual fundraiser.

The charity founded by Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom announced plans for a new SAY Detroit Play Center on the city’s west side during its annual radiothon, taking place on Thursday, Dec. 11. The after-school educational center will be built on the campus of St. Cecilia’s church, which includes the historic St. Cecilia gym, also known as the Mecca of Detroit basketball.

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The new facility will be called the SAY Detroit Play Center at St. Cecilia.

This will be the organization’s second play center, with the first opening in 2015 along Van Dyke Avenue on the city’s east side. The center provides educational and recreational opportunities for kids from 8-18 at Lipke Park.

The announcement was made during the foundation’s 15-hour radiothon, which raises money for SAY Detroit and other affiliated charities. Last year’s radiothon raised a record $2.23 million, with the fundraiser bringing in over $16.5 million in total since it was launched in 2012.

SAY Detroit was founded in 2006 by Albom and operates the play center and free family health clinic, along with providing a housing program for Detroit families and other direct efforts with the community.

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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.



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