After hurting his knee in Week 18, Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated earlier in the week that there was a chance Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta might play Sunday night against the Rams.
When LaPorta addressed reporters in front of his locker on Thursday, he appeared a touch more upbeat.
He said, “Starting to feel better day by day,” following his work off to the side of the field and his route running. “Tomorrow, see where it leads me. Simply focusing on each day as it comes. It didn’t feel good when it first happened, but I think I’ve recovered swiftly. Time will tell.”
LaPorta made a catch in last week’s victory over Minnesota, and then his left knee hyperextended awkwardly. He got up to leave and never came back. Although he escaped structural damage, bone bruising can be tricky to treat; it all depends on the patient’s capacity for pain and function.
One of the best tight end rookie seasons in NFL history is being had by LaPorta, 22, who is 22 years old. He broke the record set by Keith Jackson (1988) for the most receptions (86) by a rookie tight end in a season. During the regular season, he had 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. This season, he ranked first in touchdowns, sixth in yards, and fourth among all tight ends in receptions.
LaPorta responded, “Yeah, I’m optimistic,” regarding her performance on Sunday night. “That was undoubtedly
After practice, LaPorta said he ran some routes with quarterback Jared Goff and took the blocking reps he would have done in the solo portion of practice over to the side. He promised that wearing a knee brace won’t limit his range of motion in any way, but he will wear one if he plays.
“I’m getting over it,” LaPorta declared. “That’s the best way to say it.”
