The Detroit Lions have an injury concern with one of their key players on offense ahead of their Week 11 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as tight end Sam LaPorta is dealing with a shoulder issue.
LaPorta came down with the injury in the second half and was initially listed as questionable to return, but he didn’t get back into the game. The Iowa product was in the midst of his best game of the season after reeling in three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Head coach Dan Campbell provided an update after the game, saying that LaPorta had suffered a sprain in the AC joint. Campbell addressed the injury once again on Monday when speaking the media.
Sam LaPorta injury update
According to Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News, Campbell considers LaPorta day to day and doesn’t believe his shoulder issue will be a “long, nagging injury.”
“I’m hopeful about this week,” Campbell said, before calling LaPorta questionable for Sunday.
When it comes to LaPorta’s chances of playing this week, the Lions could opt to sit him and play it safe, even if he’s healthy enough to play. Detroit is currently 8-1 and can afford to sit their star tight end, and that’s especially true in a matchup against the lowly Jaguars, who the Lions should beat easily.
LaPorta isn’t having quite the year he had in 2023, when he had a historic rookie campaign. But he has made some big plays throughout the season, including a 37-yard touchdown catch in the win over the Texans that got the Lions on the board.
If LaPorta can’t go, Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra would both step into bigger roles against the Jags.
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