DETROIT – The last two years have been a test of patience for Tim Patrick.

The Lions wide receiver suffered preseason-ending injuries in both 2022 and 2023 that kept him off the field for two full seasons, just as he was becoming a consistent threat for the Denver Broncos.

After going through that, it was easy for Patrick to wait three months for a touchdown with the Lions this season.

Patrick ended that wait when he scored his first two touchdowns in a Lions jersey in Detroit’s 34-31 win over the Packers on Thursday night.

Patrick had waited more than 1,000 days to return to an NFL end zone since he last did so on December 19, 2021. When he actually returned there on Thursday, he did so as a changed player.

“I just know that I can overcome anything because I’ve been through everything,” Patrick said.

Patrick joined the Lions in late August to fill the team’s need for a third wide receiver, but has largely faded into the background given the strong seasons of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. He came into the game with 21 catches and 306 yards in 12 games.

Patrick said he has patiently worked his way into a role on a returning playoff team with a solid core of players.

“The thing with this team is you just have to build trust,” Patrick said. “They built this thing a few years ago and I’m one of the new guys. The trust I have in everyone else is so much greater and I have to earn that trust week in and week out.”

However, his teammates and coaches appreciated Patrick’s approach and willingness to serve as a blocker in the run game.

“What a great addition he was,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “He just continues to make plays for us in the running game and the passing game and has made a lot of progress there.”

And his lack of a touchdown started to get the attention of his teammates.

“Since he got here, he’s been so consistent in terms of unselfishness, blocking, doing everything right and hasn’t scored a touchdown,” Lions quarterback Jared Goff said.

On a night when St. Brown recorded its fewest receiving yards since Week 7, Patrick’s contributions proved crucial in helping the Lions fend off a division rival and secure a playoff spot.

Five minutes before the end of the third quarter, Patrick scored the long-awaited touchdown when the Lions caught the Packers’ defense off guard with a quick snap on fourth-and-goal. Patrick turned in the end zone to catch a laser from Goff.

Eight minutes into the fourth quarter, Patrick again caught a pass in the end zone from inside the 5-yard line, this time on a play-action play. His two touchdowns put the Lions back in the lead.

He also had a crucial 11-yard catch on the Lions’ final drive, which brought the Lions to the Packers’ 40-yard line and helped set up a game-winning field goal.

“I’m going to learn something new every week, I have a lot of things to work on, but it’s good to be able to work on things and win at the same time,” Patrick said. “I feel like the coaching staff knows that and I’m just going to get stronger as the season goes on, get better and better and hopefully peak at the right time.”

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