ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are reportedly trading veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, kick-starting a busy day of roster moves around the NFL.
ESPN reports the Lions are getting a 2026 sixth-round pick in return from the Jaguars.
Patrick had an up-and-down training camp, starting slow out of the gates before missing a week or so, and then finishing strong. But with rookie Isaac TeSlaa enjoying a breakout camp and preseason, looking further along than anyone might expect, there were some questions about Patrick’s role.
Patrick re-signed with the Lions over the offseason on a one-year, $2.5 million deal.
The Lions kept six wide receivers on their initial roster, with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Dominic Lovett, Patrick and TeSlaa. They waived impressive undrafted rookie wide receiver Jackson Meeks, with this move opening a door for his return if he passes through waivers.
Patrick was a great comeback story last season after missing two straight seasons with ACL and Achilles injuries while with the Denver Broncos.
He was cut loose by the Broncos this time last year, and then landed with Detroit’s practice squad before making his way to the main roster. The 31-year-old wideout caught 33 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns while playing 16 games in his first regular-season action since 2022. He fit the operation well, giving the Lions a lanky, physical pass-catcher after losing Josh Reynolds to free agency over the previous offseason.
With Patrick’s departure, it’s even easier to imagine a bigger role for TeSlaa out of the gates. TeSlaa caught 10 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns during the preseason. The third-round pick has continued to look like a physical, vertical receiving threat while giving this offense another young weapon.
“He’s no different than any young player. He’s just going to have some growing pains,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said after the preseason finale. “He’s going to continue to get better and better. But, I’m very pleased, we’re very pleased with where he’s at after six weeks of camp because that’s really what it’s been. We just finished six weeks, so I’d say, if you took most receivers, he’d be in the upper echelon of those, as far as development.
“It’s not easy to develop as a receiver in this league and be ready to go, and I think there’s a place for him to help us early in this season.”
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