The Detroit Lions are seeking to make it to the playoffs again this year and are on a must-win situation on Thanksgiving Day as they take on the Green Bay Packers. The question is, will they be playing without their top tight end, Sam LaPorta?
LaPorta got injured on Week 10 and the Lions’ offense has taken a hit since losing him to injury. The team is trying to make it to the playoffs and must win against the Green Bay Packers in order to catch up to the Chicago Bears, which is currently leading the AFC North. LaPorta’s presence could help boost Detroit’s efforts, but will he be healthy enough on Thursday?
What Happened To Sam LaPorta?
LaPorta is currently dealing with a back injury he suffered during Week 10, and it was deemed serious enough that it landed him on the injured reserve. This means that the tight end is likely missing at least four games since sustaining that injury.
Will Sam LaPorta Play Today?
With Sam LaPorta being placed in the injured reserve right after Week 10, this means that the Detroit Lions has to keep him on the shelf for at least four games since being placed there. This means he would be missing the Thanksgiving Day showdown against the Green Bay Packers. Even if LaPorta were to suddenly get healed out of nowhere, the rules still do not allow him to come back immediately.
When Will Sam LaPorta Be Back?
Because of the timeline of his placement in the injured reserve, Sam LaPorta is likely to miss two more weeks, with him possibly getting eligible to return around Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams. However, him being eligible to return in itself is not a guarantee that the team would activate him immediately, as he would still need to clear a few things before the Lions allow him to play.
This means that if he could not be cleared in time, Sam LaPorta could be out for the entire season. If the Lions make it to the playoffs, he may also be able to return in time for the off-season.
Best Fantasy Replacements For Sam LaPorta This Week
For now, the Lions have Brock Wright as their tight end, with LaPorta on the IR. He may be a viable choice to replace the injured LaPorta, but not the best. AJ Barner of the Seattle Seahawks could be a nice waiver wire pickup, as he has been solid so far. Another possible pickup is Buffalo’s Dawson Knox, who has stepped up since Bills TE Dalton Kincaid got injured.
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