Sam LaPorta knows targets will eventually come his way in Lions' offense

After record-setting rookie season that same him immediately be a core part of the Detroit Lions' offense, Sam LaPorta is off to a slow start this season. And that may be putting it mildly, with jus six catches for 58 yards and coming off just two catches for 13 yards in Week 2.

Head coach Dan Campbell hinted as easing LaPorta into things in Week 1, since he was coming off a preseason hamstring issue. It has also been clear that opposing defenses have been putting effort into taking LaPorta away, and his general lack of involvement in the red zone (one target total, with another coming on a play where there was a defensive penalty) is an easy explanation for the struggles the Lions have had there.

LaPorta talked to reporters in the locker room on Wednesday, and his general response to not seeing a lot of targets isn't surprising.

Sam LaPorta seems to realize his time will come in the Lions' offense

"Of course it's awesome to be a part of the production, LaPorta said, via Richard Silva of the Detroit News. "Obviously, the biggest goal is to win games. It's great that we have a really creative offensive coordinator and the offensive coaching staff in general, so I know they're going to find ways to spread the ball around, Some games, targets might find you. Sometimes, they may not. Like I said, the most important thing is to win. If I can help contribute with a couple of catches, it's great. If not and we still win, that's awesome."

"I try to add as much value as I can for this offense...LaPorta said. "I say that frequently, mostly because the tight end position gets asked to do a bunch of different things within the offense."
"Targets come my way, that's great. If not, it's all good."

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was asked about LaPorta on Thursday.

"We have a bunch of unselfish guys that, they play hard for each other, Johnson said. "Having been a former receiver coach, I am very conscious of those guys wanting to be involved, but, at the same time, as a staff, if we do this thing right...St. Brown has an off game, alright? LaPorta has an off game, maybe. Jamo...we just cycle that around, and so we just don't want a drought for an extended period of time with anybody."

Through two games, not that it's been smart strategy all the time, defenses have seemingly been content to take LaPorta away and see if Jameson Williams can beat them (20 targets through two games). Now that he's proven he can do so, LaPorta's target total should rise naturally.

They key to unlocking the Lions' offense in the red zone seems to lie with finding a way to get LaPorta more involved, and he surely knows his time to make a tangible impact is coming.