Lions announce 15 practice squad additions, including WRs Robinson and Patrick

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions went light at receiver on its initial 53-man roster, carrying just four, but are compensating through the construction of the team’s 16-man practice squad.

The Lions announced the signing of three receivers to the unit, including veterans Allen Robison and Tim Patrick. They’ll join practice squad regular Tom Kennedy. Additionally, there are multiple reports Donovan Peoples-Jones is expected to fill the unannounced 16th spot with the group.

Robinson, the Detroit native, has had a highly productive 10-year career that includes a Pro Bowl selection in 2015. His best season came in 2020, while with the Chicago Bears, when he caught 102 passes for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns.

In recent years, Robinson’s production has plummeted. He struggled to mesh with the Los Angeles Rams after signing there as a free agent in 2022. And last year, with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he finished with a paltry 280 receiving yards despite starting all 17 games and logging more than 700 snaps.

Robinson spent this offseason with the New York Giants.

Patrick, who was reported to be joining the Lions Tuesday night, is two years removed from playing in a regular season game after tearing his ACL and Achilles in back-to-back years. Before suffering those devastating lower-body injuries, he averaged 52 catches for 738 yards and 5.5 touchdowns the previous two campaigns.

In addition to the four wideouts -- once Peoples-Jones joins the mix -- the Lions brough back 12 familiar faces who camped with the team this offseason. That group consists of linebacker Mitchell Agude, center Kingsley Eguakun, quarterback Jake Fromm, running back Jermar Jefferson, offensive tackle Jamarco Jones, tight end James Mitchell, safety C.J. Moore, defensive lineman Pat O'Connor, defensive tackles Kyle Peko and Chris Smith, defensive end Isaac Ukwu and tight end Shane Zylstra.

Fromm is the most remarkable name on that list. The young, veteran quarterback was signed during the late stages of training camp as an insurance option after Hendon Hooker suffered a concussion.

Hooker ended up getting cleared quickly, preventing Fromm from taking a single practice rep prior to entering the preseason finale in the fourth quarter.

Regardless, he impressed in that outing, earning a job over veteran Nate Sudfeld, who spent most of training camp as the No. 2 QB behind starter Jared Goff.