The Detroit Lions are not exactly flush with depth at wide receiver, and rookie Isaiah Williams being declared out for Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes the situation a notch worse. Jameson Williams also dealt with an ankle injury during practice this week.
So the Lions' moves on Saturday to elevate two wide receivers from the practice squad are not surprising. Tom Kennedy will be elevated for the second straight week, and Tim Patrick will join him after being a late addition to the practice squad.
#Lions have elevated WR Tom Kennedy and WR Tim Patrick from the Practice Squad to the Active/Inactive list.
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 14, 2024
The headliner here is Patrick. He landed on the Lions practice squad after the Denver Broncos released him at roster cuts, and he has since revealed the Broncos almost had a trade worked out to send him to the New Orleans Saints.
Tim Patrick elevated to Lions' active roster for Week 2
Patrick lost the last two seasons to major injuries, a torn ACL in 2022 and a torn Achilles in 2023. But he looked healthy this preseason, and he topped 50 catches and 700 yards in the two prior seasons with the Broncos (2020 and 2021) with 11 combined touchdowns.
Patrick (6-foot-4, 212 pounds) brings size that doesn't otherwise exist in the Lions' wide receiver corps. How many snaps he'll play against Tampa Bay on Sunday remains to be seen, but it makes sense to not delay his debut on the active roster any further than necessary.
This week, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson conveyed the level of trust he has in Kennedy.
"He’s a little bit of a blankie for us because we know if something were to happen, he can play x, f, z,” Johnson said. “He can play every spot at the receiver spot. We feel really good about what he can bring to the table, and I think that gave him the nod last week.”
Three practice squad elevations are allowed before a player has to be signed to the 53-man roster by said team. So it's notable the Lions have burned two of Kennedy's elevations already, and Patrick will have two left after this week.