Lions’ Sam LaPorta breaks NFL mark for receptions by rookie TE
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Sam LaPorta‘s catch gives him 10 touchdowns and 82 receptions, breaking single-season records for rookie tight ends. (0:18)
DETROIT — Sam LaPorta added his name to the history books Sunday, but it came at a cost.
After setting the NFL record for most receptions in a season by a rookie tight end, the Detroit Lions standout left the game with a left knee injury prior to halftime and did not return. Based on the initial MRI, he most likely suffered a hyperextension and a bone bruise, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“The best way I can put it is it’s probably not as bad as it looked, but it’s not good news,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said after the 30-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. “So, we’ll know more tomorrow. I know it looked awful, but it’s not as bad as that. But it doesn’t mean that it looks good in the immediate here to have him for a game.”
With 1:50 remaining before halftime, LaPorta’s left leg was bent awkwardly after he caught a pass and was tackled. He limped off the field under his own power and went to the blue injury tent before being carted back to the locker room and ruled out for the rest of the game.
The Lions also lost receiver Kalif Raymond to a knee injury Sunday.
“Our full intention this week was to play everyone and go out there and win,” said receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who ended with seven catches for 144 receiving yards and a touchdown. “It’s unfortunate. Guys can get hurt every game, but for it to be this game, I really just hope that they’re both all right and will be playing next week.”
In the first quarter, LaPorta caught a 2-yard touchdown pass to break the NFL record for most receptions in a season by a rookie tight end, passing Keith Jackson’s mark of 81, set in 1988.
LaPorta caught four more passes in the game and finished the regular season with 86 catches for 889 yards. With his touchdown, he became just the third rookie tight end in NFL history with double-digit receiving touchdowns, joining Mike Ditka (12 in 1961) and Rob Gronkowski (10 in 2010).
The Lions selected LaPorta with the 34th pick of the NFL draft out of Iowa.
He was recently named to the Pro Bowl, becoming the second rookie tight end in team history to make a Pro Bowl, joining Charlie Sanders (1968).
In addition, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and LaPorta became the first pair of rookie teammates in NFL history to each score 10 or more touchdowns in a season. Gibbs, the No. 12 pick out of Alabama, scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter.
Detroit (12-5) also tied its franchise single-season record for most wins in a season, which was set in 1991 when they finished 12-4. That Lions team got the franchise’s most recent playoff victory and reached the conference championship before falling to Washington.
Veteran quarterback Jared Goff wasn’t aware of the mark after the game, but said he appreciates this road to the playoffs after enduring hardship in his first two seasons in Detroit after being traded from the Los Angeles Rams.
“Coaches and players have a giant appreciation for our opportunity here, coming from where we came from,” said Goff, who became the third quarterback in Lions history with 30 passing touchdowns in a season, joining Matthew Stafford (2015, 2011) and Scott Mitchell (1995).
“We were, not that long ago, 3-13, trying to figure things out. And then, early on last year, 1-6, and it’s still all of those same guys that don’t take this for granted and know how big of an opportunity we have here.”
Detroit scored 30-plus points in nine games this season, which also set a franchise mark.