Record-setting rookie tight end Sam LaPorta participated in the Lions’ walkthrough practice on Wednesday and has shown improvement since he injured his left knee in last week’s game.
Head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday a decision on LaPorta’s status for the wild-card game Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams wouldn’t be made until at least Friday.
“He’s improving. He was out there in walk-through. I don’t foresee us knowing anything or feeling like we have a real good picture until Friday afternoon,” Campbell said. “But he’s improving.”
On Monday, Campbell gave LaPorta an “outside shot” to play this week. He avoided a season-ending knee injury, but his availability for the first round of the playoffs appeared to be in peril when he left the field in the second quarter of last Sunday’s win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Campbell said general manager Brad Holmes has scoured the team’s free agent list to “see if there is someone that will help us,” Campbell said.
LaPorta broke the NFL rookie tight end record for receptions Sunday with his 82nd catch, also his 10th touchdown of the season, a 2-yard score with 8:06 left in the first quarter.
On the first play after the two-minute warning in the second quarter, LaPorta was split wide left of the formation and caught a short pass from Jared Goff. Vikings safety Josh Metellus closed quickly on the in-cutting route and tackled LaPorta high. As LaPorta went to the turf, he appeared to reach for his left knee, buckling under the weight of Metellus on his back and to the turf.
He went to the locker room on a cart.
LaPorta ended the regular season with 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 TD catches.
–Field Level Media
