Report: Lions rookie TE Sam LaPorta 'trending in the right direction to play' vs. Rams

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta intends to play Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams after suffering a knee injury last week.

Somehow, some way, LaPorta is trending in the right direction, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It looked like the star rookie tight end would miss the Wild Card game against the Rams this week with what looked like a gruesome injury.

However, he plans to wear a brace and get back out on 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 Tom Pelissero,” Rapoport wrote on Twitter. “Very limited in practice, LaPorta will likely wear a brace. But he intends to be out there with his team.”

LaPorta broke the NFL record for most receptions by a rookie tight end last week, prior to his injury. Drafted in the second round out of Iowa, LaPorta was an instant replacement for TJ Hockenson, who plays for the rival Minnesota Vikings.

LaPorta led the Hawkeyes in receiving in his last two seasons, an impressive feat considering Iowa ranked near the bottom of the FBS in passing offense both years. His 153 catches throughout his career rank first among tight ends in program history, while his 1,786 yards receiving are second.

LaPorta finished the 2022 season with 58 catches for 657 yards and a touchdown as Iowa finished 8-5. He was named Big Ten Tight End of the Year and first team all-conference while also being one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award.

Additionally, LaPorta served as a team captain for Iowa in 2022. He appeared in 46 games with 32 starts over his career, starting all but one game in each of the past two seasons.

LaPorta played high school football for Highland (IL) High School, where he was a three-star prospect listed at receiver. He ranked as the No. 1,200 overall player and No. 165 receiver according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

The Lions host the Rams Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC.