LaPorta anchors Detroit’s red-zone attack and is expected to see a large target share near the goal line, even with Johnson’s absence. His late-season TD spike and goal-to-go success in 2023 hint at continued scoring upside, while a plus matchup vs Green Bay’s coverage unit keeps him squarely in the Week 1 spotlight. Injury chatter is present but health signals look manageable for a big Week 1 role.

Sam LaPorta rose to elite status in college and entered the NFL as a top receiving tight end option for Detroit, posting a rookie-season burst of 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 TDs before a step back in Year 2 to 60-726-7. His role in Detroit’s aerial plan is central, especially in matchup-heavy and red-zone situations. An absence creates obvious shifts in target distribution and could lift the ceiling for Wright and Mitchell in the short term, with the Lions needing to prove depth behind him in the early slate.

LaPorta is a strong TE1 candidate given his 2023 breakout and continued involvement in Detroit’s passing game. With a track record of leading tight ends in expected fantasy points per game and high target share, he holds a prime upside path in 2025, particularly if Detroit maintains efficient quarterback play and volume.

LaPorta emerges as a cornerstone of Detroit's aerial attack in TE-premium formats; his rookie-to-second-year trajectory boosts target share and red-zone opportunities, making him a high-floor, high-upside PPR asset in 2025.

LaPorta has impressed early in his NFL career with strong PFF grades and significant snap counts. An undisclosed injury will sideline him for a short period, potentially altering Detroit’s TE usage in the near term and elevating backup play in the preseason. He remains a cornerstone for fantasy managers, but any delay could shift volume to other Lions pass-catchers until he’s back.