Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lions rookie thought he was 'going to drop' first career touchdown

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 9/24/23

In the Detroit Lions' 20-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, rookie tight end Sam LaPorta recorded his first NFL touchdown. However, after the game, LaPorta revealed the fear he felt as the football came his way.

"Thought I was going to drop it," LaPorta said via the Lions. "That thing hung in the air for like 15 seconds. I was like, 'Please come down.'"

While the pass quarterback Jared Goff threw wasn't in the air for as long as LaPorta thought, the pair did connect for a deep score. Early in the second quarter, LaPorta broke free of the Falcons coverage on a first-down play near midfield, catching an uncontested pass from Goff for a 45-yard score.

First @NFL TD for @Samlaporta!#ATLvsDET | FOX pic.twitter.com/lfDQZsKMZ8
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 24, 2023

After catching 10-of-11 targets through his first two games, LaPorta had his best day as a pro on Sunday, finishing with eight receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. In the process, LaPorta made NFL history, becoming the first tight end to record five or more receptions in each of their first three career games, per the Lions.

Like many, Goff was impressed with LaPorta's outing, calling him a "stud" before adding that he expects to see even more from the former Iowa standout.

"He's not even playing as well as he really could. There's still some little rookie things that happen here and there," Goff said. "The sky's the limit for him."

LaPorta, selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, looks like a massive steal for the Lions. Not only is LaPorta playing well when compared to other rookies throughout the league, but he's also performing at an elite for his position overall. Sunday's stat line helped LaPorta take the league lead among tight ends in receiving yards (186) and yards per game (62).

It's only three games and LaPorta still has much to prove before being mentioned with the league's other great tight ends. For the Lions, though, the early returns are extremely promising.

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