LaPorta’s play even garnered praise from Sunday’s opponent.
“Well, he’s going to be a good player. I told him that after the game,” Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu said after the contest. “Just crafty for a rookie, man. The kind of routes he runs, his frame, his length, and then obviously, anytime you and the quarterback are on the same page, they’re going to come away with some plays. I thought he probably had two of the more clutch plays in this game. So there were a few third downs in there. We had everybody covered, and then he just put the ball on his body, not his first down. So we just got to do a better job in the back end of just challenging guys, understanding their route tree, what to expect. But nevertheless, man, he’s going to be a good player for a long time.”
LaPorta’s six receiving TDs in 2023 is tied for the most by a tight end with Mark Andrews.
The Lions rookie and Chiefs star Travis Kelce (Week 7 vs. LAC) are the only tight ends in 2023 to record a game of at least 140 yards and a receiving TD. LaPorta is the fourth TE in Lions history to generate such a game.
The rookie brushed aside the praise after his career contest.
“You don’t want to get caught up in all that,” LaPorta said. “It kind of muddies your vision, clouds your vision for the team and success we want to have moving forward.”
If the 9-3 Lions are to have success in January, LaPorta will be a critical character.