The Detroit Lions have a big concern on their hands during the Week 3 game against the Arizona Cardinals, as tight end Sam LaPorta was carted off the sidelines and into the locker room.
LaPorta suffered the injury in the second quarter of Sunday's contest. After leaving the field, LaPorta was carted to the locker room. His exact injury and the severity remains unknown as of this writing.
Prior to his injury, LaPorta was on pace to have his best game of the 2024 season after he caught two balls for 36 yards. The 2023 second-round pick had six catches for 58 yards over his first two games.
Sam LaPorta injury update
UPDATE: LaPorta has entered the game again after he hobbled off the field upon returning in the second half.
Sam LaPorta back out there for the #Lions (again)
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) September 22, 2024
According to the Lions, LaPorta is dealing with an ankle injury. He was questionable to return before re-entering the game.
#Lions Injury Update:
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) September 22, 2024
TE Sam LaPorta, Ankle, Questionable
End of Update
UPDATE: LaPorta returned to the field in the second half but limped off the field after just two snaps. He's clearly not 100% and it would be surprising to see him again.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta returned to the field on the team’s opening drive but limped back off after just two snaps.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 22, 2024
We’ll see whether he returns to the field as he is clearly dealing with pain.
End of update
UPDATE: Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that LaPorta's injury "didn't look too bad" and he was able to come off the field under his own power.
Sam LaPorta hobbled off after the TD play. Didn't look too bad, came off under his own power. For Lions sake, got to hope the cart that came for him was just to get him to the locker room for an exam with no chance he was going back on the field before halftime
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 22, 2024
End of Update
Lions TE Sam LaPorta carted off the field. pic.twitter.com/XUIpmXV8DI
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) September 22, 2024
Here's a look at the play LaPorta got injured on. He was blocking on Jahmyr Gibbs' touchdown run and got tripped up and his ankle got rolled up on.
Sam LaPorta -
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 22, 2024
Concern for moderate grade Right inversion ankle sprain.
Has his right foot/toes caught under the defender and ankle rolled inward.
Dependent on pain/swelling, he may not be able to return. We’ll see if they tape him up and try to give it a go after half. pic.twitter.com/KGCNkXL0mS
The cart has historically been viewed as a really bad sign, but teams have been using it more and more just to make the trip to the locker room easier. Hopefully that's the case here and LaPorta isn't injured too bad.
We'll update this page as soon as more is known.
