The Detroit Lions will face the Chicago Bears in Week 16. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding TE Sam LaPorta.
Is Sam LaPorta Playing in Week 16?
LaPorta is not listed on the injury report this week, so barring any setbacks, he is on track to play this weekend.
We’ll continue to monitor the Lions’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Sam LaPorta in Week 16?
I need a hand here.
Nobody in the fantasy football industry is shy about taking layups and nor should they. If I had a nickel for every “LaPorta Potty” reference after the slow start to this season, I’d have a lot of nickels because what good is change in 2024?
I think I refrained from such low-hanging fruit. Not because it wasn’t deserved (Sam LaPorta was TE17 in September after being a third-round pick in most drafts), but because I generally take a longer-term view. For better or worse, I stay locked into my prior takes for longer than most because I trust the work I put in to arrive at my takes.
Well, we are back now and I need your help. What’s the “good” version of “LaPorta Potty” when it comes to wordplay? I’ve toyed with Sam TeLaPorting Your Team, but you’re more creative than I am, so hit me up with your best ideas (https://x.com/KyleSoppePFN). The budding star has earned at least six targets in five straight games and has now posted three straight top-10 finishes at the position.
I’m starting LaPorta wherever I have him and am not hesitating at paying for his services in a DFS setting if his ownership numbers come in soft against a vulnerable defense on short rest that is playing out the string.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 16 Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
Sam LaPorta’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 16
As of Sunday morning, LaPorta is projected to score 10.4 fantasy points in PPR formats. This includes 3.7 receptions for 42.9 yards and 0.4 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Sam LaPorta’s Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 11:45 PM ET on Saturday, January 25.
Conference Championship TE PPR Rankings
1) Travis Kelce | KC (vs. BUF)
2) Dallas Goedert | PHI (vs. WAS)
3) Dalton Kincaid | BUF (at KC)
4) Zach Ertz | WAS (at PHI)
5) Noah Gray | KC (vs. BUF)
6) Dawson Knox | BUF (at KC)
7) John Bates | WAS (at PHI)
8) Grant Calcaterra | PHI (vs. WAS)
9) Ben Sinnott | WAS (at PHI)
10) Quintin Morris | BUF (at KC)
11) Peyton Hendershot | KC (vs. BUF)
12) E.J. Jenkins | PHI (vs. WAS)
13) Anthony Firkser | NYJ ()