After missing last week’s game, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is set to return against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
LaPorta did not play in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars as he worked through a shoulder injury. LaPorta suffered the injury in the Lions’ Week 10 win over Houston.
LaPorta fills a do-it-all type of role within the Lions’ offense, impacting that game both as a blocker and a pass catcher. That element at the tight end position can add a layer of unpredictability to the offense, with opponents not able to easily decipher what responsibilities a tight end may have on a given play.
With a backfield made up of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the Lions have one of the more dynamic running games in football.
As a pass-catcher, LaPorta has been a reliable target and, at times, a safety net for quarterback Jared Goff, catching 25-of-30 targets for 366 yards with three touchdowns.
Among all tight ends, LaPorta leads the position group in yards per catch with 14.6 and is one of the best with the ball in his hands, totaling the third best average YAC per reception.
On the season, opposing tight ends are, on average, catching nearly six passes per game against the Colts defense at almost 10 yards per reception.
Between the Lions’ ability in the run game coupled with LaPorta at tight end, the Colts are going to need a strong performance from their linebacker position group.
