DENVER — For as excited as Tim Patrick must have been after catching his first touchdown pass in 973 days, his teammates seemed even more juiced.

"I was just yelling at him, honestly," Courtland Sutton said after Sunday's win over Green Bay. "It wasn't even words that were coming out. It was a whole bunch of screams."

Patrick hauled in a pass from rookie Bo Nix for Denver's first touchdown of a 27-2 win, and he unleashed a Mile High Salute for the home crowd.

"It was for the fans," Patrick said of his touchdown celebration. "Obviously, I've been gone for a little minute, and it was just more of appreciation [and] letting them know that I'm back."

Patrick, who suffered season-ending injuries in back-to-back training camps, led the Broncos in receiving with four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown. After the game, the Broncos' locker room celebrated Patrick as he took the next step in his recovery.

"Players were excited in there for him," Head Coach Sean Payton said. "He had a big smile on his face. … When you have an injury for a year … it's quiet, it's lonely, everything goes on, it's difficult. When you have it for two [it's more difficult]. … You can really go back historically and then try to find players that have been out for two years, and it's tough. It's a long time in this sport. 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."

Added Sutton: "I'm just so excited for him. He's done a lot, and he's been through a lot. For him to be able to see this early success and to see him being able to go out there and play at a level he knows he can play at, it's exciting man. I was just so happy for him to be able to see … the excitement of all of this hard work. All his hard work is paying off, and it's only the beginning. He's going to have a great season this year."

And yet, Patrick's expectations are far higher than a preseason touchdown reception.

"Obviously, I'm happy," Patrick said. "I have a higher standard for myself. I'm not just trying to be a feel-good story. It's a step in the right direction, but you guys haven't seen anything yet. Once I get these camp legs to go away, I'll be way better."

For Patrick, the goal is to return to being the type of player he was in 2020 and 2021. Patrick posted three 100-yard games in 2020 as he led the team in receiving touchdowns, and he led the Broncos in receiving touchdowns again in 2021 while ranking second in receiving yards.

"Obviously, I want to go out in preseason and make plays, but what's important is making plays when the season starts and getting wins," Patrick said. "Not just making plays and losing, but getting wins, most importantly."