DETROIT – We just got an update from Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell on the injury to star tight end Sam LaPorta and his status for this weekend’s playoff game.
Campbell spoke Wednesday following the team’s walkthrough as they prepare to host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football in the wildcard round.
After Campbell spoke about the challenges of facing players like Matthew Stafford and Aaron Donald, the first question was about LaPorta’s availability.
The rookie tight end suffered a knee injury before halftime of the Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He stayed down on the field for a few minutes before walking gingerly to the sideline.
LaPorta was eventually taken into the locker room on a cart and did not return to the game.
On Tuesday, Campbell said LaPorta has an “outside shot” to play against the Rams. He delivered more potentially promising news on Wednesday.
“I think the best way to say it, because I know it’ll come up every day, but he’s improving,” Campbell said. “He was out there at walkthrough.”
That’s certainly a positive sign. Campbell said Tuesday that the timeline on LaPorta’s return appears to be “a matter of days, not weeks.”
But Lions fans probably won’t know for sure until Friday.
“I don’t foresee us knowing anything or it feeling like we have a really good picture until probably Friday afternoon,” Campbell said. “But every day we’re going to do more with him. But he’s improving.”
Campbell said the team won’t play LaPorta just to have him out there.
“If we don’t feel like he can help us, then there’s no need of having him,” Campbell said. “I’d just say that.”
LaPorta caught 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
