Former Oregon receiver Chase Cota scores first NFL touchdown
Former Oregon wide receiver Chase Cota is enjoying a successful preseason with the Detroit Lions.
After hauling in four of his seven targets for 60 yards to lead the Lions in their preseason opener, Cota scored his first NFL touchdown on Saturday when the Lions hosted the Jaguars. The 23-year-old Cota scored on a 1-yard pass from Nate Sudfield.
Touchdown! @ccota_ continues to shine this preseason 👏🦆#ProDucks pic.twitter.com/xBeCPNEC2c
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) August 19, 2023
The Lions ultimately lost to the Jags, 25-7. With the offense struggling overall, Cota’s production dipped from its level in the preseason opener. He had two catches on five targets for 9 yards and the score.
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Cota is hoping to make the Lions’ 53-man roster. He’ll have one more chance to show his chops when Detroit concludes its preseason campaign next Friday against the Carolina Panthers.
Cota, an Oregon legacy, spent his final season with the Ducks after playing for UCLA for four years. In his lone year with the Ducks, he started nine times and brought in 36 receptions for 497 yards and three scores. He proved a reliable option for quarterback Bo Nix and had several standout performances — including a 136-yard, one-score outing against Oregon State.
Another strong performance in the preseason could land Cota on an NFL roster, even if it’s not in Detroit.