Broncos WR Tim Patrick ‘Speaks Honest’ after getting first reception in over two years

Tim Patrick’s last two years might have sent less-persistent individuals to retirement. Not Patrick.

The former undrafted free agent — who earned a multi-year deal with the Broncos in 2021, then spent the last two seasons on injured reserve — completed a long road back to an NFL field Sunday when he played in Denver’s preseason opener against Indianapolis. He caught one pass for 14 yards, but it may as well have been worth 1,400 yards.

“It felt good; it honestly hasn’t felt that long,” Patrick said, via the team’s official site. “… I feel like I go against the best every day, so out there, it just felt like it was another day in the office.” The moment wasn’t lost on his teammates, who were eager to recognize their veteran teammate following the reception, and had no issue with the taunting penalty drawn by Patrick’s brief celebration of his catch.

“All of us in the huddle were like, ‘It’s his first catch in two years, man,'” Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton said, via the Denver Post. “Do what you want to do. You want to do a backflip after you caught that joint, you could have.

It was just so exciting to see him back out there in his element. He’s been working his butt off, he’s been practicing really well and to see him get that first catch in a game, it was really dope to see. “I’m excited for him. I think he’s going to have a really good year this year.” When Patrick signed his three-year, $34 million extension in 2021, he was three days shy of his 28th birthday and in the midst of a 53-catch, 734-yard, five-touchdown season in 2021. He’d proven himself as a capable third receiver who earned his place on the roster via perseverance, culling favor within the Broncos organization as a dependable team player.

Then there were injuries. Patrick tore his ACL during Broncos camp in 2022, not long after the calendar turned to August. His 2023 season was cut short a year later by an Achilles tear, which forced him to return to the all too familiar operating room and endure a protracted recuperation. But at least he’s moved on from all of that. With a year remaining on his contract, Patrick has switched from wearing 81 to 12 and the time is now to make the most of it. He made a good start for Denver in their victory over Indianapolis.