The Detroit Lions inched closer to getting their offense on track in Week 3, but a quiet second half spoiled things. Quarterback Jared Goff did have his best fantasy showing of 2024, but it was another lackluster performance from tight end Sam LaPorta.
Goff completed 18-of-23 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns to one pick. The vast majority of his production came in the first half, but it was still enough for him to post a season-high in fantasy points.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said for LaPorta, who had just two catches for 36 yards. But context is important, as the young tight end suffered an ankle injury at the end of the first half and wasn't quite the same.
Should fantasy owners deploy either player when the Lions face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4? Let's find out.
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 4: Sam LaPorta
UPDATE (9/28): LaPorta practiced in full on Friday and Saturday and carries no designation for Week 4, which means he's good to go. Fire him up as a TE1, per usual (end of update).
LaPorta was on track to have his best game of the 2024 campaign before suffering an ankle injury that hampered him the rest of the way.
All we know about LaPorta's status so far is that he has a low-ankle sprain and is considered day-to-day. The Lions will release their first injury report of the week on Thursday, so we'll know more then.
Assuming he carries a questionable tag, this will be a tricky situation because the Lions play on Monday night. If he isn't cleared before Monday night and you plan on waiting for LaPorta, make sure to have Brock Wright (LaPorta's back up) on call, or one of the other tight ends who play on Monday night, like Chigoziem Okonkwo or Noah Fant.
Assuming he's healthy enough to go, you need to keep rolling LaPorta out there, as three disappointing games isn't enough to erase what he did in 2023. Seattle is also tied for the 10th-most fantasy points per game surrendered to tight ends.
Verdict: Start 'Em
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 4: Jared Goff
The Seahawks are surrendering the third-fewest fantasy points per game to signal-callers to begin the season, but they've also faced rookie Bo Nix, journeyman Jacoby Brissett and backup Skylar Thompson. Talk about a favorable draw.
Goff is by far the best quarterback Seattle has faced yet and he's coming off what was his most productive game of the 2024 campaign in terms of fantasy points. Goff will be a top-10 fantasy quarterback this year and his ascension to that ranking will continue this week.
Verdict: Start 'Em
