Sam LaPorta DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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 rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) is officially listed as questionable to play in Sunday night's wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, LaPorta went through a full practice on Friday for the first time this week, giving him a chance to suit up this weekend. In other Lions tight end news, James Mitchell (hand) was ruled out, so if LaPorta doesn't get the green light, Brock Wright (hip) should serve as the Lions' primary pass-catching tight end. Wright missed the final three games of the regular season but has been cleared to play against LA. The 23-year-old LaPorta was the top-scoring TE in fantasy leagues in his first year in the NFL, but he's trending as a high-priced DFS risk/reward for this weekend if he's able to play through a bone bruise and a hyperextended knee that he suffered in Week 18.

Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) said he got in some repetitions at practice on Thursday and is "optimistic" about playing in Sunday's wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. LaPorta was officially listed as a non-participant for the second straight day at Thursday's practice, but the talented 22-year-old tight end isn't giving up hope that he can play in his first career postseason game this weekend. He suffered a hyperextension of his left knee and a bone bruise in the Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. LaPorta, who was the top-scoring fantasy tight end during the regular season, will be extra risky as a high-priced DFS play in the wild-card round if he plays and is limited. If he's not ultimately cleared to play, Brock Wright (hip), who missed the last three games of the regular season, would serve as Detroit's No. 1 TE.

Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) remained sidelined at practice on Thursday for the second straight day. LaPorta injured his left knee in the win over the Minnesota Vikings in the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday and is up in the air to play on Sunday in the wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. The 22-year-old was diagnosed with a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise and was given an outside chance of playing this weekend. The second-rounder was the top-scoring fantasy tight end in his first year in the league, so Detroit would be losing a key weapon in the passing game if LaPorta is unable to practice on Friday and play on Sunday night. Brock Wright (hip), who missed the last three games of the regular season, is practicing in full and would serve as Detroit's primary pass-catching tight end on Sunday if LaPorta is sidelined.

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.