The legend of Tim Boyle will gain another chapter on Sunday in Cleveland.
The former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback is expected to make his first NFL start for the Detroit Lions in place of starter Jared Goff, who was officially listed as doubtful to play against the Browns with an oblique injury.
Goff didn’t practice all week, giving the first-team reps to Boyle.
The Packers signed Boyle as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Kentucky in 2018. He spent three seasons in Green Bay, including the last two as Aaron Rodgers’ primary backup.
Boyle played in 11 games for the Packers, mostly to kneel down at the end of games. He completed three passes for 15 yards and registered 18 rushing attempts for -16 yards while in Green Bay.
Boyle, who wore No. 8 with the Packers, is now No. 12 in Detroit. And he’ll have a life-long friend and fan in Rodgers, who said Boyle is a “special guy” with a “big arm” when asked about his former teammate earlier this week.
Can Boyle lead the winless Lions (0-8-1) to their first victory of the 2021 season?
Over three preseason games with the Lions this season, Boyle completed 22 of 39 passes for 135 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. He injured his hand and was placed on injured reserve in September. Sunday’s game in Cleveland would be his 2021 debut.
There will be no watching Boyle for the Packers on Sunday. The Lions and Browns are scheduled to kick off at the same time as the Packers and Vikings.
If Boyle plays well, there is a possibility of facing him later in the season. The Packers travel to Detroit to play the Lions in the season finale.
