It had been 1,082 days since Tim Patrick had scored a touchdown.
On Thursday, the Lions receiver not only broke that drought but scored twice.
Both touchdowns came in the second half of the Lions’ 34-31 win on “Thursday Night Football” over the Packers and served as another highlight reel moment — or moments in this case — for an already feel-good season for the Lions, who clinched a playoff spot and are a favorite to reach the Super Bowl.
Patrick had missed all of the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Broncos due to injuries (ACL, Achilles) 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 part of the end zone.
The Lions signal-caller made sure to grab the football after the touchdown to preserve it for his teammate, who hadn’t scored a touchdown since Dec. 19, 2021.
The second touchdown came with 8:39 left in the game and the Lions trailing 28-24.
Goff found Patrick in the back of the end zone or the TD pass that gave Detroit a lead.
Patrick leaped into the stands to celebrate his second touchdown of the game and was mobbed by fans.
Patrick had success in Denver before injuries hindered his abilities on the field.
His 2022 campaign ended before it could even get going when he suffered a knee injury during training camp.
The following year, Patrick tore his Achilles during camp and once again missed an entire season.
Coming into Thursday’s game against the Packers, Patrick had 21 catches for 306 yards in 11 games this season with the Lions.
He had a team-high six catches — including one on the final drive to set up Jake Bates’ last-second field goal — for 43 yards in the win on Thursday to help get the Lions into the postseason.
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