Sam LaPorta injury update: Detroit Lions TE skips practice before game with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

#DetroitLions #NFL

Detroit Lions' rookie TE Sam LaPorta misses practice, raising concerns ahead of the Buccaneers matchup
LaPorta has been a standout rookie, leading tight ends in fantasy football through Week 5
Backup TE Brock Wright could step in if LaPorta's injury sidelines him for the upcoming game

Written By:Jenel Treza

Updated: October 12 2023 05:35:29 PM ET USA

Detroit Lions’ promising rookie tight end, Sam LaPorta, missed Thursday’s practice ahead of their game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, raising injury concerns.

The Detroit Lions suffered an unexpected setback in the weeks leading up to their Week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, who has been a breakout sensation this season, did not practice on Thursday, leaving fans and fantasy football managers waiting for an injury update.

Sam La Porta
🔹5 receptions
🔹5 targets
🔹39 yards

He is clearly going to be one of Jared Goff’s go to guys in this offense. If this type of usage continues, TE1 finish is very possible. He def didn’t look like a rookie yesterday. pic.twitter.com/3VqdkG4jT9

— Troy King (@TKingMode) September 8, 2023

Also read | Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs weather forecast: Will it rain at Arrowhead Stadium?

LaPorta’s absence from practice aroused concerns, especially since he had not been listed as injured the day before. The nature and degree of his injuries, if he is truly suffering from one, remain unknown.

LaPorta had emerged as a dynamic force for the Lions, a team on the search for new talent, during the 2023 NFL season. Despite his inexperience, he quickly rose to the top of the tight end ranks, amassing excellent numbers. He has now accumulated 289 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 25 receptions in five games. His accomplishments on the field have not only aided the Lions, but have also propelled him to the top of fantasy football rankings in both standard and PPR formats.

The injury that kept him out of practice on Thursday, only days before the Buccaneers game, is now a source of concern. Fantasy managers who have put their faith in LaPorta are waiting for updates on his condition.

While the Lions await the practice report that could shed insight on LaPorta’s injury, the spotlight switches to Brock Wright, the third-year tight end designated as Detroit’s backup. In the event that LaPorta’s injury prevents him from playing, Wright might be called upon to fill the vacuum, giving him a name to keep in mind for the upcoming weekend.

Also read | Denver Broncos parts way with DE/LB Frank Clark amid salary reduction and performance struggles

The degree of LaPorta’s absence and its possible influence on the Lions’ offensive game plan will become clearer as more information about his injury becomes available, bringing clarity to both the club and the fantasy football community.