The Detroit Lions will be without a key player for their Week 11 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as tight end Sam LaPorta has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury. LaPorta sustained the injury during the Lions’ dramatic victory over the Houston Texans and missed three practices leading up to Sunday’s game.

Despite efforts to recover, LaPorta’s condition worsened, and the team made the official decision to sideline him for this game.

The Lions are also dealing with multiple other injuries across the roster, with several key players unavailable on both offense and defense. LaPorta, who has been a crucial part of the team’s passing attack this season, ranks third on the team with 32 receptions for 366 yards and three touchdowns.

To fill the gap left by his absence, the Lions promoted veteran tight end James Mitchell from the practice squad.

Additionally, backup tight ends Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra will take on more responsibilities in LaPorta’s stead.

Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand expressed confidence that the remaining tight ends can step up and handle the workload.

He noted that all three players have prior experience and familiarity with the system, which will help them adapt quickly.

Engstrand emphasized that the team’s plan may involve shifting roles depending on the situation.

“One of them will take on a bigger role, maybe one will play more on third downs, while another might get more reps on first and second downs,” Engstrand said. “We have a lot of confidence in these guys to execute their roles.”

In addition to LaPorta’s injury, the Lions will be without three other players on Sunday.

Defensive tackle Brodric Martin, cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu, and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, who are all returning from injured reserve, will not be ready to return to action yet.

However, the Lions remain hopeful for their eventual return to the lineup in future weeks.

The team also has a number of players dealing with minor injuries.

One notable player is cornerback Carlton Davis, who is set to play despite suffering a broken left thumb in practice on Thursday.

Davis will wear a cast on his left hand but doesn’t believe the injury will limit his performance too much.

In an interview, Davis shared that he would have to make some adjustments to his game but is confident that the adrenaline of the game will carry him through.

“I’ll just make small adjustments, not be as aggressive, and focus on finesse,” Davis explained.

“Once the game starts, the adrenaline kicks in, and I won’t be thinking about it anymore.”

The Lions are hoping to extend their lead at the top of the NFC North with a win over a struggling Jaguars team, who have a 2-8 record.

Jacksonville is also dealing with its own injury woes, as they have ruled out quarterback Trevor Lawrence for the game.

While the Philadelphia Eagles improved to 8-2 with a win on Thursday, the Lions still have an opportunity to stay a game ahead of them in the standings by securing a victory in Jacksonville.

The Lions’ ability to overcome their injuries and execute their game plan will be crucial if they hope to maintain their strong position in the NFC playoff race.