The Detroit Lions have already clinched a playoff birth before their win against the Minnesota Vikings to finish the 2023 regular season with a 12-5 record. The team had their starters in the game to potentially take the number two seed from the Dallas Cowboys, even though they would still host a playoff game at home regardless of the outcome. However, Lions fans are not happy that their starters were in the game, as one of their superstars on offense could miss some significant time.
Lions’ TE Sam LaPorta now has been downgraded to out. https://t.co/lQNWZAbtkU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2024
Detroit Lions Lose Star Playmaker
The Lions could be without their tight end Sam LaPorta for the playoffs depending on how far they go. LaPorta suffered a gruesome knee injury that required him to be carted off of the field, and he was later ruled out for the rest of the game. Lions fans were not happy about head coach Dan Campbell‘s decision to leave the starters on the field in a meaningless game, and they went on a rant on Twitter to show their disapproval.
Perhaps we SHOULDN’T have started our starters once locking our playoff spots…
— LeatherBrainz (@leatherbrainz) January 7, 2024
Dan Campbell playing him today pic.twitter.com/0MztFulM2j
— GB Football (@GameBlazersFF) January 7, 2024
Shouldn't have been made active to begin with
— GoreBride (@Gorebride8) January 7, 2024
Lions season is over
— CricFanatic (@HaseebSaji5272) January 7, 2024
While there will not be an official timeline for LaPorta’s injury status until later this week, the original speculations from fans and analysts are that he could miss the entirety of Detroit’s playoff push. The star tight end was carted off of the field, which is never a good sign for an injury. Many people throughout the NFL world are scratching their heads wondering why the team decided to play their starters in a game that most are calling “meaningless.”
Lions Playoff Push
Detroit has already secured the third seed in the NFC but can clinch the second seed if the Cowboys lose their game against the Washington Commanders. Regardless of which seed they finish in, they will be hosting at least one playoff game at their home field. Will LaPorta be able to come back from his injury and help his team make a playoff push, or will the star tight end miss the rest of the 2023 season?
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