Lions rookie TE Sam LaPorta continues to set new NFL landmarks

Throughout training camp, Sam LaPorta made noise as a potentially important cog in the Detroit Lions offense after he almost instantly connected with Jared Goff. Now, through three games in the 2023 season, LaPorta has shown that chemistry as a reliable target for Goff, which was evident in their 20-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons this week.

LaPorta saw the second most targets today (11), only behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, catching eight of those for 84 yards while catching his first NFL touchdown. Not only has he shown to have reliable mitts, but he has been important in the run game as well, showing he is not afraid to throw his body into blocks, leading to big gains on the ground. He is the do-it-all tight end the Lions needed for their offense and fits in like a glove.

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Now, everyone in the Lions world is quite aware of the importance LaPorta has brought to Detroit, but he is showing on a national scale the type of season he is having so far this season. Just last week, he set the NFL record for instant production by a rookie tight end by being the first tight end in NFL history to have 5+ catches in their first two games.

He continued setting records with his stellar performance against the Falcons. I’ll let the good people from the Lions PR show how big he has been for Detroit.

The list of @NFL TEs to produce 5+ receptions in each of their first three-career games:

– @Lions TE @Samlaporta

His three-game streak of 5+ receptions ties for the second-longest by a TE in franchise history.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/gEFok8lRpK

— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) September 24, 2023

.@Lions TE @Samlaporta has established a new @NFL record for the most receptions through three-career games by a TE (18).

He also ranks 2nd in receiving yards (186+).#OnePride pic.twitter.com/GVmDDa86sO

— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) September 24, 2023

The @Lions had a rookie rush for 80+ yards (RB @Jahmyr_Gibbs1) & a rookie record 80+ receiving yards (TE @Samlaporta) in the same game.

The last time they did so was on Dec. 17, 1989, with RB @BarrySanders rushing for 104 yards and WR Jason Phillips logging 115 receiving yards. pic.twitter.com/N7AiCMkQwX

— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) September 24, 2023

The only @NFL TEs with 15+ receptions through three-career games:

– @Lions TE @Samlaporta (2023)
– Eagles TE Keith Jackson (1988)#OnePride pic.twitter.com/1aai8SF3s6

— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) September 24, 2023

.@Lions TE @Samlaporta recorded a 45-yard TD, the first of his career.

His TD is the longest by a rookie TE in franchise history.

It’s also the longest by a Lions TE in a home game since TE David Sloan had a 74-yard score vs. Green Bay on Sept. 19, 1999.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/xjxzn4HlAz

— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) September 24, 2023

As you can see, the story writes itself. LaPorta is having a historic start not only for the Lions but also for rewriting NFL history in the tight end department. The chemistry is strong and seems in sync with Goff, a proven commodity in the running game, making him an indispensable player for the Lions and another cog in the strong young core the Lions have built this far in Detroit.

Also, here is a fun interaction between LaPorta and Goff concerning his touchdown today.