Sam LaPorta DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, but he was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday. The rookie, who posted 86 receptions during the regular season, suffered a hyper-extended knee and bone bruise against the Minnesota Vikings in the season finale. Still, he was healthy enough to suit up for the Wild Card and Divisional rounds. Detroit will likely be careful with his practice reps throughout the week, but he should be fully expected to play against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) was listed as a non-participant at practice on Wednesday. LaPorta suffered a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise in his left knee in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings, but the 23-year-old has been able to play in both of Detroit's playoff games and has caught 12 of his 14 targets for 79 yards and a touchdown. He scored in the wild-card win over the Los Angeles Rams, but he was much more involved in the Divisional Round, catching nine of 11 targets for 65 yards in the victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. LaPorta, who was the top fantasy tight end during the regular season, should return to practice later this week and play in Sunday's NFC Championship contest versus the San Francisco 49ers. In the last five weeks of the regular season, San Fran's vaunted defense allowed the third-most half-PPR points to opposing tight ends.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught nine of his 11 targets for 65 yards in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Round game. LaPorta entered Sunday's contest with a "questionable" tag due to a knee injury he suffered in Week 18, but he ultimately suited up and was clearly good to go. Barring any setbacks with his knee, the rookie from Iowa will remain on the fantasy radar against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. The 49ers allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends during the regular season, but he's proven to be virtually matchup-proof.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) is active for Sunday's playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had been listed as questionable. While there never appeared to be major concern about the rookie's status, it should be noted that he did downgrade to a limited participant in practice on Thursday and Friday. Nevertheless, he's active for the Divisional Round and will presumably handle a full workload. LaPorta registered three catches, 14 yards, and one touchdown in last week's playoff game, and he remains an intriguing option for fantasy managers and bettors ahead of kickoff Sunday.

Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) is officially listed as questionable to play on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. LaPorta suffered a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise in the Week 18 regular season finale but then played through a questionable tag in the wild-card win over the Los Angeles Rams. In that game, the 23-year-old played 80 percent of the offensive snaps and found the end zone on three catches. We'd be surprised if he wasn't active against the Buccaneers, a team that allowed the second-most half-PPR points to opposing TEs during the regular season. LaPorta was the top-scoring fantasy tight end in 2023, but he's going to carry some more risk in DFS this weekend because of his knee. DraftKings has him listed at $5,900, the second-most expensive TE behind Travis Kelce.