Detroit Lions DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) is officially cleared for Sunday's meeting with the Rams. The rookie caught five of seven targets for 29 yards and a touchdown in the Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. But his day came to an end after he suffered multiple knee injuries. At any rate, LaPorta was initially expected to miss at least a game, maybe more. However, he's in the lineup, although the knee ailments could certainly limit his DFS potential, which isn't ideal, considering he's the costliest tight end on Sunday's slate.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) is trending toward being active for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. As it stands, LaPorta is currently listed as questionable. He injured himself in last Sunday's regular-season finale and missed two consecutive practices before returning in a full capacity on Friday. Rapoport notes that the breakout rookie will likely wear a brace versus the Rams, but he wants to be on the field and help his team extend its playoff run. The former Iowa Hawkeye is a very intriguing option in fantasy leagues and sportsbooks given his huge year and the Rams' struggles to defend tight ends.

Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (hip), who missed the final three games of the regular season due to a hip injury, practiced in full all week and has been cleared to play on Sunday night in the wild-card playoff contest against the Los Angeles Rams. Wright managed just 13 receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown in 14 games in 2023 in his third season with the Lions, but he could serve as the team's primary pass-catching tight end on Sunday if rookie Sam LaPorta (knee) doesn't get cleared to play through his questionable tag. The 25-year-old would still be more of a long shot for DFS lineups on wild-card weekend if LaPorta is inactive, but don't ignore the fact that the Rams defense allowed the fourth-most half-PPR points to opposing tight ends during the regular season.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) practiced in full all week and was removed from the final injury report on Friday for wild-card weekend. The second-year pass-catcher will be active on Sunday night to face the visiting Los Angeles Rams, and he's expected to serve as the No. 3 receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds with Kalif Raymond (knee) having been ruled out. There's a chance rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) won't play, either, so Williams could end up being a deep DFS sleeper that ends up paying off if he can make a big play or two down the field. In addition to more opportunities in the passing game for Detroit this weekend, the Rams defense was a top-10 matchup for opposing receivers during the regular season.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) did not practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the wild-card playoff game on Sunday night versus the Los Angeles Rams. Raymond injured his knee in the Week 18 win over the Chicago Bears and isn't ready to play in the first round of the playoffs. It remains to be seen if the 29-year-old will be ready to roll if Detroit advances to the Divisional Round next weekend. In his absence, Josh Reynolds and second-year man Jameson Williams (ankle) will take on bigger roles behind No. 1 wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) is questionable as well, so if he doesn't suit up, there will be even more targets to go around for Detroit's pass-catchers in a game that has plenty of high-scoring potential. The Lions will also need a new punt returner this weekend with Raymond sidelined.