Sam LaPorta injury update: Detroit Lions TE has 'outside shot' for playoff game vs. Rams
What a difference a day makes.
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell sounded an optimistic tone Monday that rookie tight end Sam LaPorta will be available for this week's playoff opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
LaPorta left Sunday's regular season-ending win over the Minnesota Vikings with a left knee injury that Campbell initially feared could keep the Lions' second-leading receiver out one or more games.
Campbell did not offer a specific diagnosis on LaPorta's knee on Monday, but said the next 48 hours will be key to his availability for the weekend.
"LaPorta’s got an outside shot now, so we’ll see," Campbell said. "In 48 hours, we’re going to know a lot with him, but he’s got an outside shot."
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Campbell said he does not think the Lions will do anything to bolster their passing attack ahead of Sunday's showdown with the Rams, their first home playoff game in 30 years.
The Lions have two other tight ends on their 53-man roster, Brock Wright and James Mitchell, though Wright has missed the past three games with a hip injury; the two have combined for 15 catches for 119 yards this season.
Both Wright and wide receiver Jameson Williams, who missed Sunday's game with a sprained ankle, are expected to practice Wednesday, Campbell said.
Practice squad tight end Anthony Firkser and practice squad fullback Jason Cabinda also have appeared in games for the Lions this season, and swing tackle Dan Skipper played 18 snaps as a sixth lineman Sunday.
Zach Ertz, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Philadelphia Eagles who played last season under current Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden with the Arizona Cardinals, is the top tight end in free agency, if the Lions decide to go that route.
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"I think we’ll be all right," Campbell said. "I mean, look, I know (general manager) Brad (Holmes has) his eyes open. He’s constantly looking to see if there’s somewhere that’ll help us."
Campbell said punt returner Kalif Raymond has slightly longer odds than LaPorta to play this week because of the left knee injury he suffered in Sunday's second half. Donovan Peoples-Jones, who the Lions acquired at the trade deadline from the Cleveland Browns, could handle punt returns and play an expanded role at receiver if Raymond can't go.
"I think Leaf’s kind of in that boat, maybe a little bit farther away than LaPorta, but it’s very much we’re talking in days, not weeks, I think here, which is a good thing," Campbell said. "Brock is doing much better. Jamo’s doing much better, so we’re in a pretty good spot now."
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sam LaPorta injury update: Detroit Lions TE has outside shot vs. Rams
