The Detroit Lions are optimistic that Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta and exceptional return specialist Kalif Raymond will recover in time to play against the Matthew Stafford-led Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs on Sunday night.
LaPorta and Raymond both sustained knee injuries during the win against Minnesota. Coach Dan Campbell stated that the extent of LaPorta’s injury is uncertain at this time and more information will be available in the next 48 hours. Campbell also mentioned that Raymond’s condition is similar. Additionally, tight end Brock Wright and receiver Jameson Williams are making good progress in their recovery from injuries that prevented them from playing against the Vikings. In their last regular-season game, the Lions chose to play their starters in hopes of securing a victory and moving up to the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, but unfortunately, LaPorta and Raymond’s injuries, combined with Dallas’ win, resulted in the Cowboys securing the No. 2 seed instead.
If LaPorta is unable to play against the Rams, Detroit will rely on their other tight ends, including James Mitchell, Wright (if he’s healthy), and possibly Anthony Firkser. Despite LaPorta’s impressive rookie record of 86 catches, the Lions have dealt with injuries throughout the season and believe they can handle this situation as well.
Quarterback Jared Goff stated that they will figure it out, whether it’s James, someone else, or even if it means Brock’s back or Firkser playing. He is confident that they will be fine.
Similarly, Coach Campbell is confident that his players will excel, just as they have done for most of the season, despite facing adversity. He believes that their ability to bounce back and overcome challenges is what makes this group special and resilient. They have proven this time and time again.
In 15 games, the Lions achieved a balance on offense that resulted in them breaking an NFL record for the most passing and rushing touchdowns in a single season. Additionally, they tied league records by accumulating over 325 total net yards of offense and rushing touchdowns in all 16 games.
Furthermore, Detroit set a new team record with a total of 58 touchdowns throughout the season, with an impressive 27 of them being rushing scores.
The Lions became only the second team in NFL history, alongside the 2013 Denver Broncos, to have four players with double-digit touchdowns. Among these players, running back David Montgomery led the team with 13 touchdowns, followed closely by rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs with 11, and both LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown with 10 touchdowns each.
The Detroit Lions are facing challenges in their pass coverage, which could be a significant issue considering the impressive performance of their quarterback, Stafford, and the outstanding rookie receiver, Nacua, who has made record-breaking achievements this season. Recently, the Lions have had difficulty defending against opposing quarterbacks like Mullens of Minnesota, who managed to accumulate over 800 passing yards in two out of the last three games.
Despite not being chosen for the Pro Bowl, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown showcased his impressive skills with a notable performance. St. Brown accumulated a total of seven receptions for 144 yards, including an impressive 70-yard touchdown. Despite being overlooked for the Pro Bowl, he concluded the season with a remarkable stat line of 119 receptions, 1,515 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns.
Kicker Michael Badgley failed to convert an extra point on Sunday, marking the second time in the past three weeks.
Campbell anticipates receiving an update by Wednesday regarding the recovery progress of LaPorta and Raymond from their knee injuries, which will determine if they will be able to participate. However, Campbell is more optimistic about the recovery of Williams and Wright. Campbell expressed his belief that Jamo will perform well, and stated that Brock will be ready to go.
- Since beginning the 2022 season with a record of 1-6, the Lions have managed to achieve a notable 20-7 record, which includes a remarkable 12 victories this season—a figure that ties the franchise record.
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