LaPorta recorded six receptions on seven targets for 51 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 45-31 divisional-round loss to the Commanders. LaPorta was overshadowed by both positive and negative performances throughout the Lions' offense, though he remained a steady pass catcher. The highlight of his performance was an impressive one-handed touchdown from two yards away midway through the second quarter. While LaPorta's production dipped in his second pro season, he remained a key part of the offense with 11 catches of at least 20 yards and eight touchdowns across 17 total games, including the postseason. He'll remain a key to the offense in 2025, particularly around the end zone.
Unlock the latest Detroit Lions news — direct to your inbox.
Status
ACTIVELatest Sam LaPorta news
Other Lions Players
Team
Detroit Lions
Birthdate
1/12/2001 (24)
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)
LaPorta recorded six receptions on seven targets for 51 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 45-31 divisional-round loss to the Commanders. LaPorta was overshadowed by both positive and negative performances throughout the Lions' offense, though he remained a steady pass catcher. The highlight of his performance was an impressive one-handed touchdown from two yards away midway through the second quarter. While LaPorta's production dipped in his second pro season, he remained a key part of the offense with 11 catches of at least 20 yards and eight touchdowns across 17 total games, including the postseason. He'll remain a key to the offense in 2025, particularly around the end zone.
LaPorta caught all seven of his targets for 63 yards in Sunday's 31-9 win over the Vikings. LaPorta tied his season high in catches, though he failed to score after producing four touchdowns in the previous five games. The second-year tight end rebounded from a slow start to finish the regular season with 60 catches for 726 yards and seven touchdowns on 83 targets. Those numbers are all down significantly from LaPorta's 86-catch, 10-touchdown rookie regular season, but all will be forgiven if LaPorta steps up in the postseason. The top-seeded Lions will open the playoffs with a bye before hosting a game in the NFC divisional round.
LaPorta brought in six of eight targets for 64 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 40-34 win over the 49ers on Monday night. LaPorta finished second in receptions and receiving yards while also tying for the runner-up spot in targets for the Lions on the night. The second-year tight end recorded a touchdown for the second straight game when he brought in a six-yard pass from Jared Goff early in the third quarter, and LaPorta now has at least four catches in four straight contests for the first time this season. LaPorta once again should play a key role in a Week 18 home matchup against the Vikings that will determine the winner of both the NFC North and NFC's No. 1 seed.
LaPorta caught four of seven targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-17 win over the Bears. A 21-yard touchdown catch on a trick play in the third quarter accounted for just under half of LaPorta's yards. The touchdown catch was LaPorta's sixth in the last 10 games after he opened the season with a four-game touchdown drought. LaPorta and the Lions will travel to San Francisco for Monday Night Football in Week 17.
LaPorta recorded seven receptions on 10 targets for 111 yards in Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills. Several of Detroit's primary pass catchers posted inflated stat lines as Jared Goff was forced to take to the air 59 times in negative game script. LaPorta delivered his best yardage total of the season as a result, highlighted by long gains of 31 and 22 yards to record the second 100-yard performance of his career. The Lions aren't likely to be down multiple scores often for the rest of the campaign, making this an outlier performance, though it was positive to see LaPorta finish second on the team in targets.
LaPorta brought in five of seven targets for 54 yards in the Lions' 34-31 win over the Packers on Thursday night. LaPorta tied multiple teammates for second in receptions and finished as the runner-up in receiving yards to Jameson Williams on the night. The talented tight end also tied Tim Patrick for second in targets during what was one of LaPorta's busiest games yet this season. The catch total was LaPorta's second highest of 2024 and the targets qualified as a new season high, sending him into a Week 15 home showdown against the Bills on Sunday, Dec. 15 with plenty of momentum.
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.