The Detroit Lions are doubling down on their practice squad, elevating two wide receivers for this week’s game.
Tim Patrick, coming off his solid Lions debut, gets the nod for the second straight week, while Allen Robinson, a veteran looking to rekindle his career, will make his debut with the team.
Patrick surprised many with his performance last week, taking 39 percent of the offensive snaps and hauling in two receptions. He nearly added a third in a sideline play where he narrowly missed getting his feet down in bounds.
His unexpected usage has earned him another opportunity, and head coach Dan Campbell is clearly impressed.
“He’s had a good week of practice, you know, I like him. I really do. He fits us, you know, just the way he is, the way he works, his attention to detail, and he brings a little something different to us,” Campbell said in his Friday press conference. “He’s a big guy. He’s, you know, he’s a big target, he’s physical, he’s tough. So glad he’s here.”
Patrick’s physical presence and hard-nosed style seem to align with the Lions’ identity under Campbell.
As the team continues to deal with injuries and a lack of consistent wide receiver production, Patrick’s skill set could provide an essential boost. Despite Campbell’s praise and hints that Patrick may soon earn a spot on the 53-man roster, the Lions are taking advantage of practice squad elevation rules for now.
“You know, we only have three of those elevations per player. But we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. If somebody wants to poach, then we got a decision to make. But until then, you know, the plan would be to elevate and use him,” Campbell said.
Joining Patrick this week is Allen Robinson, who is set to make his Lions debut.
Robinson, a former Pro Bowler, is far removed from his peak form but has been steadily working his way back to game readiness. Coach Campbell noted that Robinson’s progress has been under close watch, and now he’s earned a shot to show what he can do on the field.
“Robinson has been working hard. We’ve been paying close attention to him the last few weeks, and now we feel like he’s ready to contribute,” Campbell said.
Robinson’s addition comes at a crucial time, with the Lions looking for reliable options to complement Amon-Ra St. Brown and fill the void left by Josh Reynolds’ injury. The Lions’ internal candidates, who were expected to step up during training camp and preseason, have largely failed to make their mark.
As a result, Patrick and Robinson were brought in as practice squad options, and now both will have their chance to impact a critical game.
Patrick has one more practice squad elevation before the Lions will need to make a decision about signing him to the active roster or risking another team poaching him. Campbell seems confident in Patrick’s future, but the decision to move him up permanently will depend on his continued performance.
Robinson, on the other hand, is something of a wild card. After an injury-plagued last couple of seasons and declining production, he’s looking to prove he can still contribute at a high level.
Whether Robinson will be a key piece moving forward or merely a depth option will likely depend on how he performs this week.
As the Lions continue to navigate injury concerns and a lack of consistency in their receiving corps, the additions of Patrick and Robinson provide a fresh set of options. Fans will be eager to see how both receivers fit into the game plan, especially as Detroit looks to keep its offense rolling.
Sunday’s game could be pivotal not only for the Lions’ playoff hopes but also for the future of these two wideouts.
