Lions' Sam LaPorta injures knee after setting record for most catches by rookie tight end
Rookie sensation Sam LaPorta injured his knee during the Detroit Lions' regular season finale on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
With 1:50 left in the second quarter, the tight end's knee bent awkwardly during a play. He laid down on the turf at Ford Field and took his helmet off while trainers tended to him. LaPorta walked off the field and headed to the locker room. After saying on X (formerly Twitter) that LaPorta was questionable to return, the Lions downgraded him to out.
Detroit clinched the NFC North for their first division title in 30 years and a playoff spot back in Week 16. Many teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, rested star players in the season finale with their postseason ticket already punched.
Sam LaPorta breaks rookie tight end receiving record
In the first quarter, LaPorta, a former Iowa standout, nabbed his 82nd catch, the record for most receptions by a rookie tight end. The previous record of 81 was set by three-time All-Pro tight end Keith Jackson in 1988, his rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The record-setting play happened when quarterback Jared Goff found LaPorta standing alone in the corner of the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown. With the score, LaPorta joins Mike Ditka and Rob Gronkowski as the only rookie tight ends with 10 or more touchdowns their first year in the league.
The Lions selected LaPorta in the second round of last spring's NFL draft with the No. 34 pick.
Sam LaPorta breaks the TE rookie reception record (82) with this TD!
📺: #MINvsDET on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/X0vcyHUoyR pic.twitter.com/j4kjDKcKsJ— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
On the Lions' next drive, running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored a 3-yard touchdown for his 10th score of the season. According to Pro Football Focus, this makes LaPorta and Gibbs the first pair of rookies to have 10+ touchdowns in NFL history.
LaPorta was named to this year's Pro Bowl for his rookie campaign, which prior to the Vikings matchup featured 81 catches for 860 yards and nine touchdowns. He had the sixth most receiving yards and most touchdowns among tight ends.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lions' Sam LaPorta injures knee after setting rookie receiving record
