Oct 13, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA;  Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Lions TE Sam LaPorta (shoulder) misses practice again

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta sat out his second straight practice on Thursday, raising questions about his availability for Sunday’s game against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.

LaPorta sustained an AC joint sprain to his left shoulder after hauling in a 37-yard pass from Jared Goff in the third quarter of a 26-23 comeback win over the Houston Texans last Sunday. LaPorta left the game and did not return.

Tight ends Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra would receive more playing time should the Lions (8-1) be without LaPorta against the Jaguars (2-8). Wright played 37 offensive snaps Sunday, his second most this season, while Zylstra played a season-high 19 offensive snaps.

LaPorta, 23, finished with three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown against the Texans. He has 25 catches for 366 yards and three TDs on the season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) runs upfield after catching a pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Lions TE Sam LaPorta (shoulder) could miss Week 11

Detroit Lions second-year tight end Sam LaPorta sustained an AC joint sprain in Sunday night’s come-from-behind victory at Houston and could miss their Week 11 game.

He sustained the shoulder injury after hauling in a 37-yard pass from Jared Goff in the third quarter of the 26-23 win over the Texans. LaPorta left the game and did not return.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said the team will take it “day-to-day” with their starting tight end.

“I don’t know how significant it will be. It’s not something like — this is not, ‘He’s going to be out four weeks,’” Campbell told reporters postgame. “Maybe, he might miss this week. We’ll see. He’s got a little sprain in here, kinda the AC joint. He tried to go back in and it wasn’t quite right. It didn’t quite feel right. So we’ll get it checked tomorrow, we’ll see where it’s at, see how significant it is.”

LaPorta said the injury was “nothing major” after undergoing an X-ray after the game.

LaPorta, 23, finished with three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown against the Texans. He has 25 catches for 366 yards and three TDs on the season.

The Lions (8-1) host the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

RB Jahmyr Gibbs crosses arms with WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and drinks a can of soda during the Detroit Lions training camp at the Lions headquarters in Allen Park, Mich. on Friday, Aug 2, 2024.

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs, CB Terrion Arnold among reinforcements back at practice

Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs and cornerback Terrion Arnold are back at practice, leading a long list of key contributors getting healthy at just the right time for Detroit.

Head coach Dan Campbell said Gibbs and Sam LaPorta were back on the practice field Sunday and are recovering from hamstring injuries.

Arnold also practiced Sunday after dealing with a pectoral injury and guard Kevin Zeitler was welcomed back Monday.

“He’s trending the right way,” Campbell said of Gibbs being on the field for the Week 1 primetime opener at Ford Field against the Rams.

Gibbs rushed for 945 yards with 10 touchdowns as a rookie last season, adding 52 receptions for 316 yards and a touchdown.

Another rookie cornerback, Ennis Rakestraw, was expected to practice Monday.

Campbell said there’s a “good chance” the Lions will have most of the roster available for Week 1.

Arnold and Rakestraw were the Lions’ top two picks in the 2024 draft.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta during the game vs. the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

Lions activate TE Sam LaPorta for playoff matchup with Rams

The Detroit Lions have a key weapon returning for Sunday night’s wild-card playoff matchup with the visiting Los Angeles Rams, announcing standout rookie tight end Sam LaPorta is active.

LaPorta, who suffered a knee injury in last week’s regular-season finale, set an NFL rookie tight end record with 86 receptions. He also scored 10 touchdowns and had 889 receiving yards.

The Rams ruled out safety Jordan Fuller (ankle), who stands second among their tacklers this season.

Los Angeles will have tight end Tyler Higbee, defensive back Duke Shelley and right guard Kevin Dotson active.

The Lions, who will be without receiver Kalif Raymond (knee), tight end James Mitchell (hand) and cornerback Jerry Jacobs (thigh), this week signed cornerback Chase Lucas and tight end Anthony Firsker.

Detroit also brought up defensive lineman Tyson Alualu and fullback Jason Cabinda from the practice squad.

– Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) is carted off the field after an injury during second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Coach gives Lions TE Sam LaPorta ‘outside shot’ to play

Lions coach Dan Campbell gives rookie tight end Sam LaPorta an “outside shot” to play in Detroit’s wild-card playoff game Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams.

“LaPorta’s got an outside shot now. We’ll know a lot in 48 hours. He’s got an outside shot,” Campbell said Monday. “It’s very much we’re talking days, not weeks, which is a good thing.”

LaPorta avoided a season-ending left knee injury on Sunday, but his availability for the first round of the playoffs appeared to be in peril when he left the field in the second quarter of the win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Campbell said general manager Brad Holmes has scoured the team’s free agent list to “see if there is someone that will help us,” Campbell said.

Reports late Sunday connected former Eagles and Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz to the Lions. Ertz is unsigned after being released by the Cardinals last month.

“I think we’ll be alright,” Campbell said. “Brad’s got his eyes open. He’s always looking.”

LaPorta broke the NFL rookie tight end record for receptions Sunday with his 82nd catch, also his 10th touchdown of the season, a 2-yard score with 8:06 left in the first quarter.

On the first play after the two-minute warning in the second quarter, LaPorta was split wide, left of the formation and caught a short pass from Jared Goff. Vikings safety Josh Metellus closed quickly on the in-cutting route and tackled LaPorta high. As LaPorta went to the turf, he appeared to reach for his left knee, buckling under the weight of Metellus on his back and to the turf.

He went to the locker room on a cart.

LaPorta ended the regular season with 86 receptions for 889 yards with 10 TD catches.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) catches a pass for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings and sets an NFL record for most catches by a rookie tight end at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Lions’ Sam LaPorta sets TE rookie record for catches

Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta set an NFL record when he reeled in a touchdown reception in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the visiting Minnesota Vikings.

LaPorta’s 2-yard catch served as his 82nd reception of the season, eclipsing a tie with Keith Jackson (81 in 1988) for the most grabs by a rookie tight end.

His 10th touchdown catch of the season moved him into a tie with Rob Gronkowski (10 in 2010) for second place among rookie tight ends, leaving him behind only Hall of Fame member Mike Ditka (12 in 1961).

LaPorta, who turns 23 on Friday, was selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Iowa.

–Field Level Media