The Detroit Lions are hosting their first playoff game in decades and will be facing their former franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford, who they traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021.
It’s a huge matchup with a lot of legacy on the line, but Detroit did enough in the regular season to secure the NFC North and the home game in Dan Campbell’s third year with the team.
A lot of the success of the team was thanks to a great offense led by quarterback Jared Goff and an awesome collection of skill position players at every major position on the field.
But one of those players – rookie tight end Sam LaPorta – was questionable to play in Sunday’s wild card game after he suffered a bone bruise and hyperextended knee in Detroit’s Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Fortunately for the Lions, LaPorta is “trending in the right direction to play,” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, and will likely wear a brace when he hits the field.
#Lions Pro Bowl rookie TE Sam LaPorta, who suffered a bone bruise and hyperextended knee, is trending in the right direction to play vs the #Rams, per me and @TomPelissero. Very limited in practice, LaPorta will likely wear a brace. But he intends to be out there with his team.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2024
With LaPorta back, the Lions will have a near-full arsenal at their disposal against the Rams which includes wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
This is a game that could easily be a shootout as well considering how the Rams have looked under Stafford’s direction to end the season.
LaPorta may not be at full strength, but his presence would be a huge boon for the Lions’ playoff hopes.
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