LaPorta caught three of six targets for six yards and two touchdowns in Thursday's 23-20 win over the Bears. LaPorta caught a three-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and added a one-yard score in the third. Despite his modest yardage total in this game, LaPorta's usage has trended up recently; he's drawn at least six targets in four of his past five appearances after falling short of that mark in each of his first six games this season. The second-year tight end has scored five touchdowns in his last seven games, showcasing the red-zone proficiency that helped him rack up 10 regular-season TDs as a rookie in 2023. He'll look to build on his recent momentum Week 14 against the Packers, which will be another Thursday game.
Unlock the latest Detroit Lions news — direct to your inbox.
Status
ACTIVELatest Sam LaPorta news
Team
Detroit Lions
Birthdate
1/12/2001 (23)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'3", 245 lbs
Draft Info
2023: Rd 2; Pk (DET)
Birthplace
Highland, IL, USA
Position
TE
College
Iowa
Experience
2 seasons
Career History
Detroit Lions
2023-Present
(2 seasons)
-
DraftKings points 12.6FanDuel Points 10.9REC 3.4REC YDS 38.5LNG 20.9TD 0.9CBSS fantasy points 9.1ESPN fantasy points 9.1Yahoo fantasy points 10.8
-
Full season projectionsREC 68.0REC YDS 700.3LNG 26.0TD 1.7
LaPorta caught three of six targets for six yards and two touchdowns in Thursday's 23-20 win over the Bears. LaPorta caught a three-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and added a one-yard score in the third. Despite his modest yardage total in this game, LaPorta's usage has trended up recently; he's drawn at least six targets in four of his past five appearances after falling short of that mark in each of his first six games this season. The second-year tight end has scored five touchdowns in his last seven games, showcasing the red-zone proficiency that helped him rack up 10 regular-season TDs as a rookie in 2023. He'll look to build on his recent momentum Week 14 against the Packers, which will be another Thursday game.
LaPorta (shoulder) finished with three receptions (six targets) for 19 yards in Sunday's 24-6 win over the Colts. LaPorta returned from a one-game absence due to a shoulder injury and finished third in targets in a run-heavy victory. The sophomore tight end actually matched his target and reception totals from his last active game (3-66-1), but with far less production this time around. With no reported setbacks, LaPorta should resume being a mid-tier fantasy option when the Lions host the Bears on Thanksgiving Day.
LaPorta (shoulder) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Indianapolis, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. After sitting out this past Sunday's victory against the Jaguars due to an AC joint sprain in his shoulder that he suffered one week prior, LaPorta was listed as a full participant on injury reports Wednesday through Friday. Now that his status is confirmed for Week 12, he'll be taking on a Colts defense Sunday that has conceded the fourth-most touchdowns (six) to opposing tight ends in 11 games this season.
LaPorta (shoulder) was a full participant at Wednesday's walkthrough. LaPorta sustained an AC joint sprain in his shoulder during a Week 10 win at Houston and wasn't able to practice in any capacity prior to being ruled out ahead of this past Sunday's victory against the Jaguars. With a full listing on the Lions' estimated practice report, he's upholding Dan Campbell's comment from earlier Wednesday, when the coach told Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net that LaPorta was trending toward returning to action Sunday in Indianapolis. Still, Campbell also called LaPorta, "Questionable to above," so the tight end may need to log a full practice Thursday or Friday in order to be truly in the clear for Week 12 action.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that LaPorta (shoulder) is trending toward a return for Sunday's game at Indianapolis, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports. Campbell used the term "questionable to above" as an estimation of the tight end's Week 12 status. LaPorta missed the Lions' Week 11 blowout win over Jacksonville due to an AC joint sprain, leaving Brock Wright as Detroit's top tight end.
LaPorta (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Jacksonville. LaPorta didn't practice at all this week after making an early exit from Sunday's 26-23 win at Houston. Coach Dan Campbell said Monday that the tight end is day-to-day, which suggests there's some shot he'll return Week 12 at Indianapolis (Nov. 24) or Week 13 against Chicago (Nov. 28). As for this week's game, Brock Wright figures to get most of the snaps in single-TE formations, with Shane Zylstra joining him in two-TE sets. LaPorta's absence could also free up a few extra snaps for depth WRs Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond.
LaPorta (shoulder) isn't practicing Friday, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports. LaPorta hasn't practiced at all this week and thus seems unlikely to play Sunday against the Jaguars. He suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder during last week's win over the Texans, leaving Brock Wright as Detroit's top tight end for the fourth quarter.
LaPorta (shoulder) isn't practicing Thursday, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports. LaPorta also sat out Wednesday while recovering from an AC joint sprain in his shoulder, and a second straight absence from practice creates more concern about his availability for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Before deciding whether LaPorta carries a designation into the Week 11 contest, the Lions will see what, if anything, the tight end is able to do at Friday's practice. If LaPorta is forced to miss his first game of the season Sunday, Brock Wright would likely step in as the Lions' top tight end, though he would be unlikely to match the target volume LaPorta typically sees when available.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said LaPorta (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports. LaPorta exited this past Sunday's 26-23 win at Houston due a shoulder injury that eventually was termed an AC joint sprain. On Monday, Campbell called LaPorta day-to-day, and the coach used the same term to describe the tight end Wednesday. LaPorta will have two more chances this week to put himself in a position to be available Sunday against the Jaguars.