On Sunday night against the Houston Texans, defying a very tough matchup in fantasy football terms, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta had a season-high 66 yards on three catches, including a touchdown.
But LaPorta left the game with a shoulder injury in the third quarter, after a 37-yard reception that set up David Montgomery's rushing touchdown. He was officially declared questionable to return to the game, and he did not return.
After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell had an update on LaPorta's injury situation.
"I don’t know how significant it will be, (but) it’s not something like—this is not, ‘He’s going to be out four weeks,’” Campbell said. “Maybe, he might miss this week. We’ll see. He’s got a little sprain in here (pointing to his own shoulder/neck) kinda the AC joint. He tried to go back in and it wasn’t quite right. It didn’t quite feel right. So we’ll get it checked tomorrow, we’ll see where it’s at, see how significant it is, and just take it day-to-day.”
Sam LaPorta may miss Week 11 vs. Jaguars
LaPorta was spotted in the locker room after the game not using his left arm much, and he wouldn't say what the diagnosis on his shoulder was other than to say tests after the game showed "nothing major". He was then spotted leaving the locker room wearing a sling.
Sam LaPorta wasn't using his arm much to put his socks on in the locker room after the game. He wouldn't say exactly what the diagnosis on his left shoulder was, but said tests after the game showed "nothing major."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) November 11, 2024
Sam LaPorta declined interviews, but was last one out of the locker room after needing x-rays. Was wearing a sling.
— Justin Rogers | Detroit Football Network (@Justin_Rogers) November 11, 2024
LaPorta will get more tests done on his shoulder Monday, at which point his status for Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars (or beyond) should become clearer.
LaPorta has proven his toughness fairly quickly in his career. A rough-looking knee injury in last year's regular season finale did not cost him any playoff games. A hamstring issue during training camp may have impacted his effectiveness early in the season, but he did not miss a game. The sprained ankle he suffered in Week 3 also did not cost him any games, or playing time in terms of his typical snap share.
So LaPorta might miss next week's game, and the Lions can probably handle the Jaguars without him if there's any risk for greater injury by playing him. But he has apparently avoided a significant shoulder injury, which keeps the good vibes going after a wild comeback win.
Update, Nov. 11, 5:15 p.m. ET: Campbell called LaPorta "day to day" on Monday.
"It’ll be day-to-day,” Campbell said. “But we don’t feel like this is something like, ‘Oh, man, this is going to be a long, nagging injury.’ I think we’ll get through it. I’m hopeful this week, but I can’t say that. He’s questionable.”