The Detroit Lions have taken star tight end Sam LaPorta off the injury list and are presumed to play him against the Indianapolis Colt for Week 12, per Tom Pelissero.
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LaPorta is expected to return to the field on Sunday when the Lions travel to face the Indianapolis Colts, kicking off a stretch of three games in just 12 days.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell shared an encouraging update on LaPorta's recovery, stating Friday, "He's been good...Here we go, two days in and I feel like he's trending the right way. So he looks pretty good, looks like he's got fresh legs so that's good."
LaPorta missed last week's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the Lions' victory over the Houston Texans on Nov. 10. He participated in the team's walk-through on Wednesday and was a full participant in practice on Thursday, signaling he's ready to return to action.
The tight end was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 34th overall pick. From the start of his rookie season, he made an immediate impact with his strong hands, refined route-running, and ability to create mismatches in the passing game. LaPorta's blend of size, athleticism, and versatility quickly made him a key piece of the Lions' offense.
In his debut season, LaPorta earned second-team All-Pro honors and was voted to the Pro Bowl. He also set several records, including the NFL mark for most receptions by a rookie tight end. Additionally, he broke multiple Detroit franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns by a tight end, cementing his status as one of the league's brightest young talents.
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The Lions currently hold a stellar 9-1 record, so the team is very incentivized to not lose a step at this point in the season. In Week 11, Detroit handed the Jacksonville Jaguars their most lopsided loss in franchise history, surpassing the previous record set by a 44-point defeat to Detroit in 1995.
The Lions, who reached the NFC Championship game last season before falling to the San Francisco 49ers, have established themselves as one of the top teams in the NFC for the 2024 campaign.
Detroit is riding an impressive eight-game winning streak, their longest in a single season since 1934. Looking ahead, the Lions will take on the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and Green Bay Packers in their next three matchups—games that all appear to be winnable for the red-hot Lions, further solidifying their status as one of the NFC's elite teams.
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