The Detroit Lions set several new franchise records with their dominant 31-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night, securing home-field advantage for the first time in team history. In addition to the team’s achievements, tight end Sam LaPorta also reached a personal milestone.
The second-year tight end now holds the record for most career receptions by a tight end in Lions history, surpassing the previous mark of 144 set by former Green Bay Packers star Keith Jackson. This achievement includes LaPorta’s postseason receptions from last year, as confirmed by the Lions’ PR team on X.LaPorta caught all seven of his targets at Ford Field, finishing the game with 63 yards. His longest reception was a 17-yard gain, and he helped the Lions reach their ninth game of the season with over 30 points. With 60 receptions for 726 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season, LaPorta is already preparing for his second playoff appearance. Despite this accomplishment, he is not the first Lions player to achieve such a feat.
