Who Should I Start? Tyler Higbee or Sam LaPorta

Wednesday, January 7, 7:36 PM

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (ankle) was listed as a limited participant again in practice on Wednesday, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Higbee missed six games while on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury before he was activated and played in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. The 33-year-old veteran played 64% of the offensive snaps and caught five of his six targets for 91 yards and a touchdown. While Higbee saw fewer snaps than fellow TEs Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen, it was, all in all, a very successful return. The Rams are likely just managing Higbee's ankle this week, and he should be active on Saturday to face the Carolina Panthers in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs. Higbee could be on the field more this weekend for a high-scoring Rams offense, putting him in play as a low-end TE1 option in fantasy playoff formats.

Wednesday, January 7, 7:18 PM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (back) said earlier this week that he's entering the next stage of his rehab from back surgery, and he plans to be fully cleared before the start of training camp at the end of July, according to Richard Silva of The Detroit News. LaPorta played in only nine games in 2025 before suffering a herniated disc in his back against the Washington Commanders on Nov. 9. In addition to his rehab, the 24-year-old will be focused on trying to ink a contract extension with the Lions this offseason. LaPorta burst onto the scene in his rookie year in 2023 with 86 receptions, 889 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. He wasn't quite as good in 2024, but he still had a 60-726-7 line in 16 games. Obviously, LaPorta's production suffered in 2025 due to injury, but he'll be a prime bounce-back candidate at the TE position in 2026 for the Lions.