Tim Patrick is back! That’s great news for the Denver Broncos, Bo Nix, and Broncos Country.
After two straight years missed due to injuries, the Broncos most reliable receiver has returned to the gridiron.
Tim Patrick lights up the Packers, will have a huge year
Following an offseason filled with a whirlwind of change, including a rebuilt receiver room, Tim Patrick is making sure he’s not the forgotten man.
When the Broncos traded away Jerry Jeudy and brought in Josh Reynolds, it looked like Reynolds would be the team’s No. 2 receiver. Not so fast.
Tim Patrick just balled out on Sunday night in Week 2 of the preseason. He led all receivers with four receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown. Then, he did something that only a longtime Broncos player would do; he hit the Mile High Salute.
#MileHighSalute, @Tpstreets 🫡#EasyToCelebrate x @budlight pic.twitter.com/Jr3kThwCTB
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 19, 2024
Against the Packers, Tim Patrick was Bo Nix’s go-to guy. Nix found him twice on the team’s first drive for short receptions over the middle. They moved Denver into scoring range. Then, the rookie quarterback escaped pressure, rolled left and even found Javonte Williams in the end zone. Unfortunately, he made a rookie mistake and was over the line when he threw and settled for a field goal.
On the team’s second drive, they scored again. And again it was Patrick leading the way, with a deft 14-yard reception on a 3rd and 9 to keep the drive alive. When Nix needs a big reception, he’s found Courtland Sutton and Patrick repeatedly in the first two preseason games.
That includes when the team faced a 2nd and goal. Nix was pressured and threw a dime off his back foot to Patrick for the touchdown.
The #MileHighSalute was for you, #BroncosCountry 🫡@Tpstreets reacts to his first TD since being back: pic.twitter.com/qbIkY60yjB
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 19, 2024
The Broncos cruised to their second win of the preseason, 27-2 over the Packers. Nix was fantastic again, going 8-9 for 80 yards and the touchdown, no sacks. Denver has now scored on 6-of-7 drives with him behind center. Although it must be noted he has played only against the backups from the Colts and Packers.
If and when Nix is named starter, he’ll be a crucial reason why the Broncos offense will be markedly better in 2024. And Patrick’s sure hands make him an integral part of the coming success, too.
“Players were excited in there for him,” head coach Sean Payton said of Patrick after the win. “He had a big smile on his face. When you have one of those injuries, it’s quiet, it’s lonely, everything goes on, it’s difficult…So when he has a moment like that or when he has a practice where you see him getting back to form it’s encouraging.”
Following back-to-back 700-yard seasons, with five and six touchdowns respectively, the veteran receiver tore his ACL in training camp before the 2022 season. Then, he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the leadup to 2023.
His score on Sunday night was the first touchdown for him in two-plus years. Everyone erupted with joy.
Patrick’s Broncos teammates seem to love the guy
Following Denver’s trouncing of Green Bay, the entire team celebrated in the locker room with Tim Patrick in a heartwarming scene.
More than a feel-good story, @Tpstreets. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/rKjia98YXx
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 19, 2024
“He’s done a lot and been through a lot. I was just so happy for him to be able to see … the excitement of all of this hard work,” Sutton said of Patrick. “All his hard work is paying off, and it’s only the beginning. He’s going to have a great season this year.”
It’s certainly early, but Sutton has emerged as Nix’s deep threat. He has a 22 and a 23-yard reception from the rookie in the team’s first two preseason games. Sutton is likely going to have a big year, but he acknowledges that Patrick will, too.
If Patrick emerges as the No. 2 receiver, a far cry from this “being on the bubble” nonsense that’s floating around, he’s going to get a ton of looks. When Sutton is covered, or when Nix has to scramble, he’ll be searching for Patrick.
“It’s not easy to overcome the things that he has, and then to get out there and be able to contribute like he did tonight was just really cool to see,” Nix explained. “He’s a gamer. He does a really good job when his number is called. It was good to see him in the end zone.”
If the veteran receiver stays healthy, he’s going to fill box scores and will likely be a solid addition to deep fantasy teams.
It’s huge that his teammates love him, and so do the fans. He’s a quiet, unassuming, great player. He doesn’t drop passes as one of the most consistent and hardest-working players on the Broncos.
No doubt about it, if Nix is going to have a great first season, Patrick will be a big part of the success.
Similarly, if the Broncos want to do anything in terms of competing for the AFC West title for the first time in a decade, Patrick’s play will be crucial.
Denver has one more preseason game, next week against the Arizona Cardinals, before their regular season kicks off on Sept. 8 at Seattle.