The Detroit Lions are hoping for a deep playoff run after Dan Campbell has seemingly helped to build a contender in the Motor City. Unfortunately, in their Week 18 matchup with the rival Vikiings, their NFL Playoffs confidence meter took a hit.
Rookie tight end Sam Laporta left the game in the second quarter with the Lions leading and did not return before halftime.
And the looks of it as a whole are not good.
Sam Laporta injury update: Lions TE leaves with scary injury
After a catch in the second quarter, Laporta took an awkward low hit that caused his left leg/knee to buckle strangely. He immediately clutched for it after going down before the trainers came out onto the field to attend to him.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta was slow to get up after the previous play. He was able to walk off the field on his own strength. pic.twitter.com/sUxMJ2gBa7
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 7, 2024
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, he was then carted to the locker room, an indication of a serious injury.
Lions’ TE Sam LaPorta now has been carted to the locker room due to a knee injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2024
This would be a devastating blow for the Lions' playoff hopes as they've already locked up a postseason berth but are hoping to make a run. Laporta has been a revelation in Detroit in his rookie season, coming into Week 18 second on the Lions in receptions (81), targets (113), receiving yards (860) and tied for the team lead in touchdown catches (9) with Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Heading into the start of the second half, Laporta was downgraded to out for the rest of the game, which was to be expected given then trainers' reaction to his injury.
#Lions TE Sam LaPorta (Knee) has been downgraded to out.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2024
Update, 6:40 p.m. ET: After the game, Rapoport reported that Laporta suffered a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise. While not as bad as it could've been, the Lions tight end will miss time with the injury.
#Lions Pro Bowl TE Sam LaPorta suffered a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise, source said after the MRI. He’s likely to miss some time, but as coach Dan Campbell said, not as bad as it could’ve been.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2024
We will continue to keep you updated with any further information about Laporta's injury.
Lions TE depth chart behind Sam Laporta
The Lions depth chart behind Laporta is full of quite unproven commodities at the NFL level. Here's what it looks like.
Depth Chart at TE | Player Name |
|---|---|
TE1 | Sam Laporta |
TE2 | Brock Wright |
TE3 | James Mitchell |
TE4 | Anthony Firkser |
Die-hard NFL fans may be familiar with Firkser, who is a longtime blocking tight end most notably spending time previously with the Tennessee Titans. Wright, meanwhile, has the most catches of that group, hauling in 13-of-14 targets on the season in 14 games played for 91 yards and a touchdown. Mitchell has one catch on one target for four yards in 14 games as well.