The Detroit Lions could head into the playoffs without a top playmaker after tight end Sam LaPorta got carted off with a knee injury on Sunday. LaPorta appeared to hyperextend his knee while making a catch near the end of the second quarter, and the Lions quickly ruled out their star rookie. The Lions had already clinched a postseason birth two weeks prior, but head coach Dan Campbell opted to play the starters in Week 18.
Detroit entered the season finale with a chance at becoming the second-seed in the NFC but would need upset losses from the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. Naturally, Detroit Lions fans were none too pleased to see their star rookie tight end depart Ford Field on a cart. They took to social media, mainly Twitter (also known as X), to share their displeasure with Detroit’s decision to play the starters, leading to a potential long-term injury to LaPorta.
Detroit Lions Fans React to Unfortunate Sam LaPorta Injury
LaPorta will finish the regular season with 86 catches, 889 yards, and ten receiving touchdowns. With his status for the postseason now very much in doubt, Detroit Lions fans are distraught on social media regarding the star tight end’s injury.
NOT SAM LAPORTA pic.twitter.com/tc87ciIm2G
— Jagger May (@FantasyBluechip) January 7, 2024
At least the ‘corgi races’ are trying to make up for the devastating LaPorta injury.
The vibes are immaculate. pic.twitter.com/9PTfrtGdIf
— Natalie Sparbeck (@NatSparbeck) January 7, 2024
Sam LaPorta limping off the field.
Please be ok! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/5YBbSKObXF
— LionsFanReport (@lionsfanreport) January 7, 2024
Lions learning the hard way about playing starters in a meaningless game
Sam LaPorta 😬 pic.twitter.com/aOJKFhEBcE
— Tommy🎙 (@RamTommyInLA) January 7, 2024
Might’ve just lost Laporta for the playoffs and most of next season cause our coach wants to maintain his precious “grit” and “culture”pic.twitter.com/qVswmr7udl https://t.co/MeRRUi3kIz
— Lions cooked 🧙♂️ (@cableman0) January 7, 2024
Kalif and Laporta missing next week and we got a bunch of guys playing through injuries for a useless win. Thank you for the culture Dan pic.twitter.com/LWFfOCgn3w
— Lions cooked 🧙♂️ (@cableman0) January 7, 2024
Never want to see this. Players get injured no matter what. But if Sam LaPorta misses the playoffs the #Lions fans can blame Dan Campbell. Getting that 2-Seed is almost impossible.#VikingsGameDayLive we spoke about this very type of play happening. pic.twitter.com/d7VLfcuCOY
— Ron Johnson (@3RonJohnson) January 7, 2024
Detroit Lions: Path to No. 2 Seed
With the Lions winning in the early slate, their path to the second seed in the NFC remains alive. However, the chances are slim. The Lions would need a Dallas Cowboys loss to the Washington Commanders and a Philadelphia Eagles defeat to the New York Giants to leapfrog both squads. Dallas enters Week 18 as a two-touchdown favorite against the four-win Commanders, while the Eagles are more than a field-goal favorite on the road against the Giants. The Eagles beat the Giants on Christmas Day, 33-25. Meanwhile, Dallas smacked the Commanders on Thanksgiving, 45-10.
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