Start Sam LaPorta over Terry McLaurin — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Start LaPorta if cleared: his role and scoring environment narrowly beat McLaurin

Start LaPorta if he clears his questionable tag; Detroit's updated depth chart still lists him as the starting tight end (Sports Illustrated (Lions On SI) 2026-09-06). His near-every-down role in a strong scoring environment outweighs McLaurin's higher raw projection, and LaPorta's TE6 standing is a meaningful edge at a thin position. McLaurin is the safer availability play, with WR1 volume and big-play ability, but Washington's lower scoring outlook and Philadelphia's tougher receiver matchup narrow his touchdown path. The call is close, with LaPorta's health the clear risk.

What flips it: LaPorta is ruled out or limited enough to lose his every-down role.

Sources: Sports Illustrated (Lions On SI) · Sep 6, 2026

AI editor

Sam LaPorta

TE6DETvs NO

6.58.711.0 Projected Points

Start· medium

Terry McLaurin

WR23WSHvs PHI

7.710.012.3 Projected Points

Toss-Up

Why Sam LaPorta

Start· medium

TE1 and pass-catching mismatch. Reliable seam and intermediate target when healthy.

TE6 at 11.0 projected with a 91% snap share and 17% target share in a 27.8-point implied offense — start him if he clears his questionable tag.

His starting role is confirmed, giving his strong snap profile more stability than a typical questionable tag.
Detroit's scoring outlook creates more paths to a tight-end touchdown than Washington's game environment offers McLaurin.

The call

Role is locked in: 91% snap share and a 17% target share over nine games make him Detroit's clear No. 1 tight end, and the depth chart confirms the starting job.
Game environment is a plus — 27.8 implied team total as a 7-point favorite means plenty of scoring chances, and LaPorta is a red-zone piece in that offense.
The DvP composite of 13 of 32 comes off a 0-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so it carries no real weight against a TE6 consensus rank.
Only real risk is the questionable designation; if he's downgraded or limited in warmups, pivot, but an active LaPorta is a clear starter over replacement TEs.

Latest on LaPorta

Role

LaPorta is listed as the starting tight end on Detroit's updated offensive depth chart ahead of the regular season.

Sports Illustrated (Lions On SI) · Sep 6, 2026

Lions safeties Branch, Joseph expected to return after PUP stints

Lions starting safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee), who will both miss the first four games of the season, are expected to return at some point, according to GM Brad Holmes

ESPN · Sep 2, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Terry McLaurin

Toss-Up

WR1 and offensive centerpiece. Explosive vertical route-runner with elite release package; missed time in 2025.

Toss-up — WR23 consensus, projects WR24 this week: PHI is the 10th-toughest matchup vs WRs, 24% target share in 2025.

McLaurin's centerpiece role supplies a sturdier target floor if Washington falls behind.
His clean availability matters because LaPorta's narrow edge disappears if the questionable tag affects his workload.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Sam LaPorta	Terry McLaurin
Projected points	6.58.711.0	7.710.012.3
Consensus rank	TE6	WR23
Opponent vs position	NO · 13 of 320-game sample	PHI · 10 of 320-game sample
Receptions	14 of 32	10 of 32
Receiving Yards	14 of 32	15 of 32
Receiving TDs	9 of 32	1 of 32
Targets	18 of 32	23 of 32
Anytime TD	9 of 32	1 of 32
Target share	17%(2025)	24%(2025)
Reception share	19%(2025)	23%(2025)
Implied total · spread	27.8-7.0	20.5+5.5
Depth chart	TE1	WR1
Snap share	91%(2025)	70%(2025)
Injury designation	Questionable	—