After clinching the division for the first time in 30 years by winning the previous game against the Vikings, the Lions had something else to prove on January 7th, beating the Vikings again and sweeping the series.
The new-found excitement for the Lions is high, as the fans have waited decades for a playoff game in Detroit. But, sometimes success comes at a price, and with this win, the Lions may have lost their rookie Tight End, Sam LaPorta, with a knee injury.
LaPorta missed the second half of the game after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter and making several other catches before LaPorta’s foot got stuck in the field’s turf causing his knee to hyperextend and bruise.
“[It was] not as bad as it looked, but it’s not good news,” said head coach of the Detroit Lions, Dan Campbell.
Fans and players of the Lions are concerned if LaPorta’s injury will affect the upcoming playoffs. LaPorta is certainly a key component to the Lions recent success. If he has to sit out the playoffs, the result will no doubt be detrimental to the team.
The coming game is especially unique with its high stakes—a home game with a familiar face. The Lions will be going head to head with the Los Angeles Rams and QB Mathew Stafford, Lions quarterback from 2009-2020.
Many local bars in Detroit aren’t taking the news well of Stafford’s return. The bar owners are threatening to turn away any customers in a Stafford jersey.
“If fans attempt to enter on game day with a Stafford Lions jersey, they’d be turned away,” said Thomas Magee’s bar, in a post online.
LaPorta is easily one of the teams most valued players on the Lions, especially since he set the record for most catches in a season by a rookie tight end. He had 82 receptions and 10 touchdowns before the injury. He is often referred to as the “rookie weapon”.
As Sunday’s game gets closer, more and more anxiety over the game is settling in. LaPorta’s injury and whether he’ll be able to suit up for a Lion playoff run has most people hoping for the best, including head coach Dan Campbell.
“…every day we’re going to do more with him. He’s improving,” said Campbell.
As the degree of the rookie tight end’s injury is still unknown, the Detroit Lions are more than ready to bring it this Sunday, LapPorta or not.
