It had been 1,082 days since Tim Patrick scored a touchdown.
On Thursday, the Lions receiver not only broke that drought, but also scored two goals.
Both touchdowns came in the second half of the Lions’ 34-31 victory on “Thursday Night Football” over the Packers and were another highlight moment – or moments in this case – to what was already a good season for the Lions secured a spot in the playoffs and are considered favorites to reach the Super Bowl.
Patrick missed all of the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Broncos due to injuries (ACL, Achilles tendon) and signed with the Lions practice squad this year.
The 31-year-old San Diego, California native scored his first touchdown of the night with 5:02 left in the third quarter when quarterback Jared Goff found Patrick in the front of the end zone.
The Lions’ signal caller made sure to grab the football after the touchdown to save it for his teammate, who hadn’t scored a touchdown since December 19, 2021.
The second touchdown came with 8:39 left in the game and the Lions trailed 28-24.
Goff found Patrick in the back of the end zone or the TD pass that gave Detroit the lead.
Patrick jumped into the stands to celebrate his second touchdown of the game and was surrounded by fans.
Patrick found success in Denver before injuries hampered his ability on the field.
His 2022 season ended before it could even begin when he suffered a knee injury in training camp.
The following year, Patrick tore his Achilles tendon during training camp and again missed an entire season.
Prior to Thursday’s game against the Packers, Patrick had 21 catches for 306 yards in 11 games this season with the Lions.
In Thursday’s win, he made a team-high six catches – including one on the final drive that set up Jake Bates’ final field goal – for 43 yards in the win, helping the Lions advance to the postseason.
