Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions rookie Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) didn't take part in the team's practice on Wednesday, but he was in attendance. LaPorta hyperextended his knee in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings and suffered a bone bruise on Sunday. The Lions initially believed he would miss the wild-card game this Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams, but LaPorta has improved enough to take part in a walkthrough this week and has an "outside chance to play, according to head coach Dan Campbell. "He's improving. He was out there in walkthrough. I don't foresee us knowing anything or feeling like we have a real good picture until Friday afternoon. But he's improving," Campbell said. LaPorta was the No. 1 fantasy tight end in his first NFL season, but he'll carry extra risk in DFS lineups if he's active and playing at less than 100 percent.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) and tight end Brock Wright (hip) will return to practice this week and are expected to play against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card game on Sunday Night Football. Williams missed the Week 18 game against the Minnesota Vikings with an ankle injury and illness, while Wright was absent due to a hip ailment. With Sam LaPorta (knee) and Kalif Raymond (knee) getting banged up on Sunday, the return of Williams and Wright could be a significant development. Williams has boom-or-bust appeal in playoff leagues and DFS, but Wright has limited upside even if he's elevated to the No. 1 tight end role.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) was carted off the field with a knee injury during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He has been diagnosed with a hyperextended knee, and head coach Dan Campbell said he has an "outside shot" to play against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card contest on Sunday. Campbell mentioned that LaPorta is more day-to-day than week-to-week, but his status is still up in the air for Detroit's first home playoff game since 1994. It sounds like he'd be ready to go for the Divisional Round if the Lions advance, but fantasy managers and DFS gamers will need to check back on his status throughout the week. If he can't play, Brock Wright (hip), who is expected to be ready to go on Sunday, will likely start at tight end.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) didn't return to Sunday's NFC North matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. The rookie had played well before being carted off, catching five of seven targets for 29 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Dan Campbell indicated that LaPorta's injury wasn't as severe as initially believed. Fortunately, Campbell was correct, with an MRI revealing a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise. Of course, things could have been worse. However, LaPorta will likely miss time, meaning Brock Wright would be the Lions' starting tight end to begin the postseason. That said, LaPorta has been a top fantasy tight end throughout the 2023-24 campaign, so Wright atop the depth chart would be a significant downgrade.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) didn't return to Sunday's NFC North showdown with the Vikings after getting carted off because of a knee injury. Head coach Dan Campbell provided an update while speaking to the media after the game, indicating that the rookie's "injury isn't as bad as it looked." However, he'll need more tests on Monday to determine the severity of the ailment, so his status for the postseason will remain a mystery until then. LaPorta has been a top fantasy tight end all year, and he will finish the regular season with 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. If he misses time, Brock Wright would presumably fill the void, although it would be a significant downgrade for the Lions offense.