ALLEN PARK — Lions tight end Sam LaPorta said Thursday he is optimistic that he will be able to play in the wildcard game against the Rams on Sunday night.
The rookie didn’t warm up with the rest of the team during Thursday’s practice (which was open to the media) and was officially listed as having “no practice” on the injury report, but he got a little work in.
“I was taking the same blocking reps that we do in our individual drills, ran some routes with Jared (Goff),’’ LaPorta said.
LaPorta hyperextended his knee in the win over the Vikings on Sunday when his cleat got caught in the turf. He was carted from the sideline to the locker room, which is often not a good sign. He did not return to the game.
“It was scary when it first happened, I think everybody had seen a picture of it,’’ LaPorta said. “There was definitely a sigh of relief when I found out structurally everything was good.’’
Since Monday coach Dan Campbell has said there is a chance LaPorta will be able to play, but he won’t know for sure until Friday afternoon.
“I’m not out there getting as many reps as I had these past weeks. Certainly staying on top of the game-planning aspect, but still trying to recover my body, make it feel good and be ready for the game,” LaPorta said.
LaPorta said he’ll probably wear a knee brace as a precaution to make sure the hyperextension doesn’t happen again.
“I’m not sure how much it would inhibit me or practically keep it from happening again. It was a fluke thing,’’ LaPorta said.
In the Lions’ 12-5 season, LaPorta was tied with Amon-Ra St. Brown for most receiving touchdowns with 10 each.
“He’s been a beast. I know he broke some records … He shows it on the field every week, he’s reliable, he’s tough, he can do it all,’’ St. Brown said. “He’s definitely a big part of the offense and we hope he can be with us on Sunday.’’
LaPorta had the most receptions (86), receiving yards (889) and touchdowns (10) by a tight end in franchise history, He was the second rookie in NFL history to produce a season with 85-plus catches, 850-plus receiving yards and 10-plus touchdowns.
Injury update
Others who did not practice Thursday: QB Teddy Bridgewater (personal), CB Jerry Jacobs (thigh/knee) and WR/PR Kalif Raymond (knee). TE James Mitchell (hand) was limited.
UP NEXT: Wildcard playoff game: Rams (10-7) at Lions (12-5), 8 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field. It’s the Sunday night game on NBC.
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