Detroit Lions will be without second-year Tight End Sam LaPorta on Sunday as they host the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. LaPorta is a pivotal weapon for the dynamic Detroit offense. How will this affect the Lions after a poor offensive performance in Week 10 on “Sunday Night Football” against the Texans? Will the Lions’ offense be able to get back on track without their top tight end? How will Jared Goff respond without his big target?
Sam LaPorta This Season
Sam LaPorta is having an average season in his second year as a professional football player. LaPorta was selected by the Detroit Lions 34th overall out of “Tight End University” also known as Iowa. Before the season LaPorta was considered as arguably a top-5 player in his position and a superstar in the making. He is on pace to become another victim of the dreaded sophomore slump. In his rookie season, LaPorta ended the year with 86 receptions, 889 receiving yards, and hauled in 10 touchdowns for the Lions. This season, LaPorta’s numbers have dipped from his inaugural year in the league. LaPorta has been off to a slow start despite the team’s NFC-best 8-1 record.
LaPorta was off to a slow start to the season, and it continued through week 10 with glimpses of a breakthrough game. So far, he has 25 receptions for 366 yards and 3 touchdowns through 9 games played. He is on pace to have lower stats in all three categories than he did in his rookie campaign. In his defense, he has only been targeted 32 times by quarterback Jared Goff. He is ranked No. 1 among tight ends in average yards per reception, with 14.6 yards per reception.
Lions Without LaPorta
The Detroit Lions are preparing to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11 without LaPorta. He has missed practice all week with a shoulder injury and will miss his first game of the 2024 season. Will Detroit’s offense miss a step without him? I don’t think so. Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson has publicly called out his offense this week after a poor performance against the Texans. Goff had his career-high five interceptions on Sunday, and the Lions were still able to overcome the turnovers to win the game with a last-second field goal.
LaPorta has been a nice piece for the Lions offense, but his presence may not be noticed in the game against the Jags. Jacksonville is one of the worst teams in the NFL, coming into a hostile environment with backup Quarterback, Mac Jones. Goff and the Detroit Lions have a Swiss army knife full of tools and weapons on the offensive side of the ball. The tandem of “Sonic and Knuckles,” the newly reinstated Jameson Williams, and, oh yeah, the superstar in the making Amon-Ra St. Brown. This core makes up one of the most dangerous offenses in the league on top of the most scoring.
Final Thoughts
I wish and kind of feel bad that the impact of not having Sam LaPorta in the lineup would have a bigger effect on the team. In reality, this Detroit Lions team finds a way to win every week. If it’s not the offense producing, then it’s the defense or special teams that step up. The Lions may be the most complete team in football. Look for them to blow the Jacksonville Jaguars out, as they are double-digit favorites against the Jags.
This is a great week for the tight end to rest up and get some time off before the final stretch of the season and the playoffs. LaPorta’s lack of production may not be his fault since the Lions are absolutely stacked with weapons. If you’re a betting man, take the Lions and take them large against this dumpster fire that is the Jacksonville Jaguars.
