The Detroit Lions kept six wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster, including two rookies Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett. But it didn’t take long for the Lions to reduce the number of receivers on their roster to five.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday the Lions traded veteran wideout Tim Patrick to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Lions will receive a 2026 sixth-round pick as part of the deal.
With the trade, the Lions will lose veteran depth at receiver. However, it will open up more opportunities for TeSlaa.
Isaac TeSlaa is in line for a bigger role than expected after a strong training camp, and his emergence made veteran receiver Tim Patrick expendable,” wrote The Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett.
TeSlaa finished the preseason with 10 catches, 146 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The rookie may have sealed the fact the team wanted to get him more opportunities in the preseason finale Saturday.
In Week 3 of the exhibition season, TeSlaa led the Lions with 41 receiving yards. He hauled in an impressive 33-yard touchdown over his shoulder near the pylon during the first quarter.
The Lions drafted TeSlaa at No. 70 overall during the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In his last college season, he averaged 19.5 yards per catch at Arkansas.
Patrick finished third among Lions receivers with 33 catches, 394 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2024.
Rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa Set for Bigger Role After Latest Lions Move