Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta had an outstanding rookie season. He ended the year as the TE1, averaging 11.5 half-point PPR fantasy points, totaling 10 receiving touchdowns.
Fantasy players made him the first tight end drafted in most leagues this year. Unfortunately, the former Iowa star hasn’t lived up to his draft cost.
LaPorta is the TE17, averaging 4.5 fantasy points per game over the first three weeks. More importantly, he left Sunday’s win against the Arizona Cardinals with an injury.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Is Sam LaPorta Hurt Or Healthy?
The former Iowa star suffered an ankle injury in Week 3 when a player rolled up on him while the tight end was blocking downfield. LaPorta left the game on a cart but returned later in the contest. Unfortunately, he left the game for a second time.
However, head coach Dan Campbell had good news on the star tight end. LaPorta is day-to-day with a low ankle sprain, meaning the second-year player likely can play Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks.
Campbell: Sam LaPorta (ankle) considered day-to-day.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) September 23, 2024
Sam LaPorta Fantasy Football Outlook
Fantasy players should expect LaPorta to play in Week 4, especially with an extra day to rest because of the Monday night matchup. However, the Lions have their bye next week. The team could play it safe with their star tight end and give him the week off, allowing three weeks to get healthy ahead of a critical matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6.
Meanwhile, LaPorta hasn’t been the fantasy star many had hoped for this season. He has eight receptions on 10 targets for 94 receiving yards over the first three weeks. By comparison, the former Iowa star had 18 receptions on 22 targets for 186 receiving yards over his first three games as a rookie.
Sam Laporta's first 3 NFL games ever
- 22 targets
- 18 receptions
- 186 yardsSam Laporta this season
- 10 targets
- 8 receptions
- 94 yardsI'm getting cooked
— Mason Dodd (@MasonDoddFFN) September 22, 2024
While LaPorta has struggled to start the year, many tight ends have been as equally disappointing. Fantasy players should expect better days ahead for the second-year player but have a backup plan on their roster if he doesn’t play this week because of the injury.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:
More Fantasy Football Analysis