Lions Tight End Sam LaPorta Reveals Last-Second Adjustment for TD Catch vs. Rams

Lions' rookie tight end Sam LaPorta grappled with the decision to play through a knee injury. Despite the initial uncertainty, he not only decided to take the field but also scored a game-changing touchdown in the 24-23 loss for the Rams.

Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta faced uncertainty about playing through a knee injury against the Rams on Sunday. Despite the initial doubt, he not only took the field but also scored a touchdown. 

LaPorta revealed to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com that he deviated from the original play when he found himself jammed at the line and initially not open. Instead, he moved toward the middle of the end zone, a decision rooted in a discussion during the Friday red-zone practice two days before the game.

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During the red-zone session, Jim Hostler, a pass-game coordinator who frequently works with the tight ends, hinted to LaPorta about alternative actions if the initial route didn't work. 

“Fridays are our red-zone day,” LaPorta said. “So Jim Hostler, one of our pass-game coordinators, and works a lot with the tight ends, he’s in our room quite frequently. He just hinted to me, like, ‘If you don’t get the ball on the initial route, what do you think you’re going to do?’ I was like, ‘I guess I never thought about that, Hos. I’ll probably tuck it in.’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, that’s perfect.’ But yeah, he just mentioned that to me, gave me a little hint.”

Unfortunately for the Rams, that's exactly what happened, with quarterback Jared Goff spotting LaPorta and connecting with him for a fourth-down touchdown in the end zone. 

LaPorta acknowledged the successful execution by giving credit to Hostler on the sideline. 

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“Then of course the first person I see on the sideline is Hos, looking at me out of the side of his eye,” LaPorta said. “I was just like, ‘It was just like you said, Hos.’”

As the Detroit Lions prepare to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional round this Sunday at 12 pm PT, LaPorta is questionable, but the Lions are hopeful he can play another game - and make a similar impact - in the post-season run.