On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions made some expected roster moves. Defensive end Marcus Davenport and linebacker Derrick Barnes have been placed on IR, while wide receiver Tim Patrick has been signed to the active roster.
Davenport is expected to be out for the season with what's been reported as an elbow injury or a triceps tear. It's less clear how much time Barnes will miss with a knee injury, but now he'll miss at least four games.
Defensive back Morice Norris, an undrafted rookie who spent training camp with the Lions and was an early standout before suffering an injury and being waived with an injury settlement, has been signed to take Patrick's place on the practice squad.
Patrick has been elevated to the game day roster each of the last two weeks, playing a total of 67 snaps (39 and 50 percent snap shares respectively) with three catches for 20 yards. He had one practice squad elevation left before he'd have had to be signed to the 53-man roster, but Dan Campbell hinted at that inevitable move last week and then praised how Patrick has fit in last Friday.
"He fits us just the way he is, the way he works, his attention to detail, and he brings a little something different to us. He’s a big guy. He’s a big target, he’s physical, he’s tough, so I’m glad he’s here.”
Unfortunate injuries made it easier for Lions to sign Tim Patrick to 53-man roster
It was easy to wonder who might lose their spot on the 53-man roster to Patrick, with the move becoming inevitable. But the significant injuries Davenport and Barnes suffered against the Cardinals on Sunday made that a moot point, with two roster spots coming open. So no decision, tough or otherwise, had to be made to make room for Patrick on the active roster.
The Lions have one open roster spot.
Patrick brings size (6-foot-5, 210) that the Lions' wide receiver group does not otherwise have. Time will tell if he sees more targets going forward, but his opportunity to fill the "X" receiver void will continue without the mechanics of a practice squad elevation for Week 4.