The Detroit Lions have officially ruled out tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) for the Week 11 contest this Sunday against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. LaPorta suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder in the Week 10 win over the Houston Texans last Sunday night and will now miss at least one game. The 23-year-old second-year TE was listed as day-to-day earlier this week, so there is some hope he'll only miss one game and return to face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. With LaPorta out this weekend, expect both Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra to see the field more in two-TE sets, with Wright being the better target as a TE2 streamer in deeper leagues and DFS. LaPorta's absence should also mean more targets for receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond.
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) was the team's only player that did not take part in practice on Thursday. LaPorta suffered a sprained AC joint in his shoulder in the team's Week 10 win over the Houston Texans and is in danger of missing this Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after missing practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. The 23-year-old second-year tight end will need to get onto the practice field on Friday to give himself a shot to suit up in Week 11. If he is unable to do so, expect Brock Wright to see an increased role on offense for Detroit, putting him in play as a TE2 sleeper in a game the Lions are favored by two touchdowns. It's been a disappointing sophomore year for LaPorta fantasy-wise after he finished as the TE1 in 2023 -- he's currently the TE11 in half-PPR scoring -- but he did find the end zone for the third time in Week 10.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) remains day-to-day but did not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. LaPorta's status for the Week 11 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday is firmly up in the air after he suffered an AC joint sprain of his shoulder in the Week 10 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday night. The 23-year-old second-year tight end will need to return to practice on either Thursday or Friday to have at playing this weekend. As such, fantasy managers should have a backup plan in place in case LaPorta doesn't receive the green light. Brock Wright would most likely have the most upside at the position in Detroit from a fantasy perspective if LaPorta is inactive. Although LaPorta found the end zone last Sunday, he's mostly been a disappointment in his sophomore campaign after finishing as the TE1 in fantasy in 2023.
Sam LaPorta Day-To-Day, "Hopeful" He Can Play In Week 11
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) is considered day-to-day after suffering an AC joint sprain in his shoulder in the Sunday night win over the Houston Texans and is "hopeful" he can play in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. LaPorta didn't suffer a serious shoulder injury on Sunday night, but it could still affect his status for Detroit's next game. We'll have a better idea of the 23-year-old's Week 11 status after the Lions resume practicing on Wednesday. Fantasy managers would hate to see the second-year tight end lose his momentum after catching three of his six targets for a season-high 66 yards and his third TD of the year against the Texans before getting injured. LaPorta remains a TE1 in fantasy when he's active, but managers might have to go in another direction this week.
Sam LaPorta Delivers Strong Week 10 Performance Before Exiting With Shoulder Injury
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) made a significant impact in the team's 26-23 win over the Houston Texans in Week 10, catching three of six targets for 66 yards and a touchdown. His performance earned him a TE4 finish for the week, marking his second-highest fantasy output this season. However, LaPorta exited the game early due to a shoulder injury. The Lions later reported an AC joint sprain, so LaPorta's status for Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars remains uncertain. Be sure to keep an eye on practice reports throughout this week. If he cannot play, expect Brock Wright to take over primary tight end pass-catching duties for Detroit.
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) has been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint, head coach Dan Campbell said after Sunday night's win over the Houston Texans. LaPorta exited in the third quarter and did not return. He finished Week 10 with six targets, three catches, 66 yards, and one touchdown. It doesn't sound like LaPorta will be sidelined for too long, but Campbell did note that the tight end could miss Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If so, Brock Wright would step up as the Lions' primary tight end, ranking as a low-end fantasy TE2.
Sam LaPorta Questionable To Return With Shoulder Injury
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury in the Sunday night game against the Houston Texans and is considered questionable to return in the second half. The good news for LaPorta's fantasy managers is that the 23-year-old second-year tight end already had a season-high 66 receiving yards on three receptions with his third touchdown of the season before injuring his shoulder. The Texans' defense has made it a point to limit top Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown on Sunday night, which has led to LaPorta being wide open for several big gains on the evening. It's unclear how serious LaPorta's injury is or if it will put him in danger of missing the Week 11 contest next Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If LaPorta ends up missing any time with his shoulder injury, Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra will see more snaps, with Wright being the better pass-catching option.
Sam LaPorta’s Production May Be Limited In Difficult Week 10 Matchup
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta heads into Week 10 with a challenging matchup against a Houston Texans defense that has been particularly tough on tight ends. While LaPorta's route share and target involvement have increased recently possibly due to Jameson Williams' suspension (PED violation) this isn't the ideal week for a breakout. Houston's defense has allowed the fewest fantasy points, yards per reception, and total receiving yards per game to tight ends, and they're second-lowest in yards per pass attempt. After a strong rookie season, LaPorta's production has tapered off in 2024, with fewer catches, yards, and touchdowns on pace compared to last year. He has exceeded 50 receiving yards only twice this season and has topped two receptions in just three of eight games. With all said, LaPorta profiles as a lower-end TE option in Week 10.
Sam LaPorta’s Fantasy Struggles Continue Amid Lions’ Run-Heavy Approach
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta struggled in Week 9, posting just two receptions for 28 yards in the team's 24-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers. After a season-best performance last week, LaPorta fell short again, marking his third game with fewer than five PPR fantasy points and his sixth single-digit fantasy outing in eight games. Even with Jameson Williams out (PED violation), LaPorta was largely uninvolved, as the Lions continued to rely heavily on their rushing duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Despite his early-season promise, LaPorta remains a volatile option with Detroit's offense leaning on its ground game. He'll aim for a rebound in Week 10 against the Houston Texans.
Sam LaPorta Poised For Big Role Again In Favorable Matchup Against Packers
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta heads into Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers with an expanded role due to Jameson Williams' suspension (PED violation). LaPorta is coming off a strong Week 8 performance, turning six targets into six catches for 48 yards and a touchdown. The Packers' defense has struggled against tight ends, allowing the fifth-most receiving yards to the position, which sets up a favorable matchup for LaPorta. Across his last three games, he's averaged 125 receiving yards with two touchdowns. With the Packers ranking high in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, LaPorta remains a dependable TE1 option with the potential for another productive outing.
Sam LaPorta
• TE
•
Lions
