3/26 on four looks probably isn’t what fantasy managers had in mind when they saw 52 Lions points. LaPorta simply couldn’t compete with Amon-Ra St. Brown’s all-around dominance and Jameson Williams’ big-play prowess. LaPorta is continuing to default into higher-end TE1 status, but that says more about the lack of depth in that range than it does anything else. The Lions are visiting Baltimore for Week 3.

LaPorta was the lone bright spot on a Detroit offense that came out flat in Week 1. The third-year tight end worked the middle of the field well, connecting with Goff for multiple chunk gains, including catches for 32 and 16 yards. LaPorta clocked in with a 24 percent target share, picking up wear he left off after finishing 2024 with a string of strong performances. He will stay in the top half of the TE1 ranks for Week 2 against the Bears.

Campbell didn’t give any specifics on the injury, only calling it a minor issue. Barring a setback, it doesn’t sound like this is something that will have any effect on LaPorta for Week 1. Still, it’s something for fantasy managers to monitor. LaPorta got off to a slow start last year after suffering an ankle injury in Week 3. He didn’t top 53 yards in a game until Week 15. LaPorta then surpassed 60 yards three times in his final four appearances. He should be able to ride that momentum into the start of the 2025 season as long as this current injury doesn’t spiral.

Campbell giving props to his starters is nothing new. The Williams drumbeat has been marching onward all offseason and has no end in sight. Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the most electric backs in the NFL. It’s no suprise he’s standing out in padless practices. The most interesting name of the bunch, outside of a handful of defenders Campebll also shouted out, is LaPorta. The third-year tight end took a step back in 2024, going from 86 receptions for 889 yards as a rookie to 60 grabs for 726 yards and three fewer touchdowns. LaPorta got a slow start to the year and was then hampered by ankle and shoulder injuries. After making noise in early offseason practices, it’s safe to assume this is the healthiest he has been since his rookie season. Even if LaPorta’s target volume is capped by the surrounding talent in Detroit, his involvement as a red zone weapon alone keeps him in the middle of the TE1 mix.