Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media on Monday, a day after his team finished the regular season with its 12th win of the season against Minnesota.
Right now, Campbell and the Lions are focused on the playoffs, and will face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night at Ford Field.
Here are all the important questions from Campbell’s press conference on Monday: What is the current injury status for tight end Sam LaPorta and wide receiver Kalife Raymond?
Both players Monday’s news is much more promising than it seems after he left Sunday’s game with a knee injury and did not return.
“Laporta has an outside shot right now,” Campbell said of potentially facing Laporta on Monday night.
Rams.
“You’ll learn a lot in 48 hours with him.
He has an outside perspective.
I think (California) is in that boat and maybe a little further away than Laporta.
But , that’s a good thing because it’s a lot and we’re talking days instead of weeks.
Laporta has a player who had 86 receptions for 889 yards (10.
3 yards average) and 10 touchdowns in the regular season.
This is certainly encouraging news.
Coach Campbell also said veteran Brock Wright, who missed last month with a hip injury, will return to practice this week.
If the Lions can get him back Sunday, it would soften the blow somewhat if Laporta is unavailable.
If Raymond isn’t there, who returns punts?
Raymond was Detroit’s punt returner all season.
His average of 11.
4 yards per return was sixth best in the NFL this season.
He also had 35 receptions for 489 yards, one receiving touchdown and 75 yards on seven carries.
Campbell said Donovan Peoples-Jones is a candidate for the Sunday night role if Raymond is unavailable, although he and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp are still considering it.
Peoples-Jones has returned 61 punts in the NFL, averaging 7.
9 yards and one touchdown per return.
What’s the latest on wide receiver Jameson Williams and edge rusher James Houston?
Campbell said Williams returned to practice this week and should be ready for Sunday’s matchup.
Rams.
Williams has performed well in recent weeks, with 11 catches for 159 yards in games against Dallas, Minnesota and Denver.
He missed Sunday’s game against Minnesota after injuring his ankle in Dallas a week ago.
Campbell wasn’t as optimistic about Houston, who is still on IR rehabbing an ankle injury.
“Houston will go to practice and see how it goes,” he said.
“He’s going to be better than last week.
How much?
How much better will this be?
” I don’t know.
I’m not that optimistic about him Offensively, Campbell said, they’re explosive in the passing game, but what makes this even more dangerous now is running back Kylen in their gap scheme.
That’s the rise of Williams (1,144 rushing yards) and how much of a threat he is, running the ball and opening up more windows for play-action, allowing quarterback Matthew Stafford to put the ball down the field.
Ability to push.
Defensively, he said the Rams have been playing solid overall, led by veteran defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and haven’t made many mistakes.
The Rams have won seven of their last eight games, with their only loss coming in overtime against Baltimore.
“Look, it’s no secret why they’ve won seven of their last eight games,” Campbell said.
“They do it for a reason.
