3 potential options for the Detroit Lions to replace Sam LaPorta

It certainly didn't look good, and what came immediately after did nothing to quell the concern. Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta may have avoided the worst-case scenario though, i.e. a torn ACL, etc. that would impact his availability looking toward next season.

After the game on Sunday Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported an MRI showed LaPorta has a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise. In his postgame press conference head coach Dan Campbell had a blunt sentiment along the same "it could have been way worse" line.

"The best way I can put it is it’s probably not as bad as it looked, but it’s not good news,” Campbell said. “We’ll know more tomorrow, but I know it looked awful, and it’s not as bad as it looked. But it doesn’t mean it looks good in the immediate here to have him for a game.”

LaPorta is practically certain to miss the Lions' Wild Card Round game against the Rams. If the Lions advance, him playing in the Divisional Round will become a more nuanced topic.

Of course at this time of the year there aren't many, if any, good outside options to replace LaPorta. Not that he's really replaceable anyway, after a historic rookie season. But the Lions aren't all that deep at tight end, with Brock Wright missing the last three games with a hip injury, so adding someone could be on the radar.

Assuming LaPorta will miss at least one playoff game, here are a few options the Lions could turn to to replace him.

Update, Jan. 8, 3:40 p.m. ET: Dan Campbell said LaPorta has an "outside chance" to play Sunday night against the Rams, while adding an outside addition at tight end is not expected.

But even with the general optimism on LaPorta, things can change quickly....

3 potential options for the Lions to replace Sam LaPorta (if he's out)

3. Maxx Williams

Once a fairly well-regarded draft prospect with a bright future in the NFL, injuries have impacted Williams' eight-year NFL career. He came back from a torn ACL in 2021 to play 11 games for the Arizona Cardinals last year, as he did the practice squad-to-active roster carousel on a regular basis.

The Cardinals first signed Williams in 2019. That was the same year Steve Heiden landed there as the tight ends coach, and they overlapped for four seasons. Heiden is now the Lions' tight ends coach, so he would (should?) have some inherent familiarity with a former pupil and the idea they've kept in touch is not a reach. Heiden's insight would presumably be sought if the Lions have Williams on their radar at all. If he hasn't been asked for it, or offered it, already.

If Williams is healthy enough, which is an obvious question as he has lingered available through the entire season without an apparent sniff from any team, the Lions could simply kick the tires via a workout and see if it makes sense to sign the former second-round pick. The past coaching tie to Heiden would theoretically make the fit an easier one, and that alone puts Williams on a list of possible immediate options for the Lions to cover LaPorta's absence.

2. Kyle Rudolph

Let's get a little crazy here.

Rudolph retired in September after 12 NFL seasons, most of which and the best of which were spent with the Minnesota Vikings. He worked as a game commentator for NBC/Peacock's Big Ten football coverage this season, but that gig is of course now done until the fall. He does co-host a Sunday night show on Fox Sports Radio as well, but if he wanted to suit up for a playoff team maybe he'd be accommodated.

It's easy to assume Rudolph has not fallen completely out of shape since deciding to retire a few months ago. If he would entertain a chance to play again right now, which is at best unclear, it would automatically be with a playoff team and perhaps he'd prefer one that could last a while (or more than one week, anyway). Otherwise, it wouldn't be worth his time/consideration.

Honestly, there's about a .0002 percent chance Rudolph wants to play and that the Lions are even thinking about seeing if he wants to play if/when LaPorta is confirmed out for the Wild Card Round. But a lack of good outside options, due to the time of the year it is more than anything else, requires thinking outside the box here. Rudolph is certainly an outside the box option.

1. Zach Ertz

Right after LaPorta's injury, on the easy assumption the Lions' stud rookie will miss at least the first playoff game, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero dropped this.

At 33 years old, Ertz is not the player he was at his peak. But he had a fairly productive start this season with the Arizona Cardinals, with six catches in three of the first four games. He was an easy trade candidate for a team that didn't expect to win a lot of games, but he suffered a quad injury and after he was recovered the Cardinals granted his request to be let go in late-November.

About a month ago, Pelissero reported Ertz had had "serious conversations" with six teams. That set of teams, however obviously, were contenders as Ertz eyes getting another Super Bowl ring. There has been nothing about Ertz since, though Pelissero added at that time the three-time Pro Bowler would remain patient to find the right fit.

The Lions, as a contender with a need for a capable veteran tight end and a position coach he's familiar with (Heiden), might be that right fit Ertz has been waiting for. As for getting him, or anyone else from the outside, ramped up quickly, here's some insight into Ben Johnson's offense from Justin Rogers of the Detroit News.

"And here's the nice thing about Johnson's offensive scheme; for as complex as it is, on the whole, it's condensed weekly to approximately 20 formations, with a handful of play designs stemming off each. That makes it easier for a veteran to pick it up midstream."

Ertz is easily the best tight end available, and that has held true for months in one fashion or another (as a trade candidate or when he was waived by Arizona). If LaPorta will miss the Wild Card game, and perhaps more, the Lions wouldn't be doing their full due diligence without at least checking in on Ertz.