The Detroit Lions’ 53-man roster includes young and inexperienced wide receivers, but the practice squad is well-seasoned.
The Lions added Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson to practice squad contracts on Wednesday, bringing a seasoned presence to the receiving position.
The Lions kept only four receivers on the 53-man roster: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, and Isaiah Williams. That trio has 489 career catches, with St. Brown (315 catches) accounting for over 65% of that total.
Patrick, 30, and Robinson, 31, have a combined 705 career catches.
The Lions have been hunting for a big-bodied receiver to add to their roster and signed two on Wednesday.
Patrick, who has missed the previous two seasons due to ACL and Achilles tendon ailments, stands 6 feet 4 and weighs 212 pounds, while Robinson is 6-2 and weighs 210 pounds. Both specialize in contested catches.
Patrick had a career-high 53 receptions for 734 yards in 2021, his final full season. He has spent the most of his career with the Denver Broncos, having signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
Robinson, a Detroit native and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s alumnus, had at least 70 receptions in four consecutive seasons. He caught 34 catches for 280 yards with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season and has also played for the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Lions also promoted veteran receiver Tom Kennedy and quarterback Jake Fromm to the practice squad on Wednesday, in addition to 11 additional players who were with the team during training camp. They have one open practice squad place left, which ESPN reports they will fill with another veteran receiver who was with the team during training camp: Donovan Peoples-Jones.
The full list of Lions practice squad players:
∎ QB Jake Fromm
∎ RB Jermar Jefferson.
∎ TE James Mitchell.
∎ TE Shane Zylstra.
∎ WR Allen Robinson.
∎ WR Tim Patrick.
∎ WR Tom Kennedy.
∎ OL Kingsley Eguakun.
∎ OL Jamarco Jones.
∎ DL Mitchell Agude.
∎ DL Pat O’Connor.
∎ DL Kyle Peko.
∎ DL Chris Smith.
∎ DL Isaac Ukwu.
∎ S C.J. Moore.