The Detroit Lions are still holding out hope top tight end Sam LaPorta will play in Sunday's playoff opener against the Los Angeles Rams, but they will be without one of his backups likely for the rest of the season.

The Lions placed tight end James Mitchell and cornerback Jerry Jacobs on injured reserve Saturday. Mitchell suffered a left hand injury in practice Wednesday and his girlfriend posted a picture of him in a hospital bed after undergoing surgery Friday.

Jacobs is out with a knee injury.

Players on injured reserve must miss a minimum of four weeks. Mitchell and Jacobs are eligible to return the day before the Super Bowl.

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The Lions signed tight end Anthony Firkser and cornerback Chase Lucas to the active roster from practice squad, and elevated defensive tackle Tyson Alualu and fullback Jason Cabinda from practice squad to the gameday roster.

Players can be elevated from the practice squad a maximum of three times before they must be added to the 53-man roster. Alualu is out of elevations, while Cabinda can be elevated one more time.

The Lions listed LaPorta as questionable on their Friday injury report with a hyperextended left knee he suffered in last week's win over the Minnesota Vikings. LaPorta is far below 100%, but has indicated he hopes to play Sunday.

Brock Wright, who's missed the past three games with a hip injury, could play an expanded role as the Lions' No. 2 tight end against the Rams, and Firkser and Cabinda add depth at the position.

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The Lions did not elevate receiver Maurice Alexander from the practice squad, which means either Amon-Ra St. Brown or Donovan Peoples-Jones will handle punt returns Sunday in Kalif Raymond's absence.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions place TE James Mitchell, CB Jerry Jacobs on IR