Sam LaPorta's latest injury has cast a shadow over the Detroit Lions' tight end room. And while Jackson Meeks stands to benefit most if LaPorta's absence lingers into the regular season, the converted wide receiver wants no part of his Pro Bowl teammate missing any time.
"I’m just hoping Sam gets healthy," Meeks said.
Meeks was one of the standout performers in the Lions' 17-13 preseason win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday, Aug. 22. He led the Lions with four catches and 33 yards receiving and delivered two clutch plays in the final six minutes to help close out the victory.
On fourth-and-3 with just over five minutes to play, Meeks caught a 6-yard pass to pick up a first down and extend the Lions' field goal drive. He ran a simple crossing
pattern on the play, then adjusted his route to slip behind defensive end T.J. Maguranyanga when the Commanders surprised the Lions by playing zone defense and quarterback Luke Altmyer scrambled out of the pocket to buy time.
"Luke saw man, I saw man, too," Meeks said. "But after the end dropped out on the back side, it kind of messed up Luke’s read and I had to sit, so once Luke scrambled out, the end plastered and I was just right behind him open, and Luke trusted me enough to throw it to me."
After Jake Bates made a 37-yard field goal four plays later, Meeks forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff that the Lions recovered at the Washington 25-yard line to clinch the game.
Meeks was one of five Lions to play double-digit special teams snaps against the Commanders, and the only non-linebacker. He finished with a team-high three special teams tackles and the forced fumble.
"You see how he attacks special teams," Lions coach Dan Campbell said. "I mean, he gives our guys fits in special teams, too. Some of these looks, whether he's on that team or he's giving [a scout team look] on punt rush, he gives our guys fits. So that was good to see. I thought he did some really good things today, made some critical plays."
Meeks has shown a penchant for making plays since signing with the Lions as an undrafted free agent receiver last spring.
He led the team with 11 catches and 176 yards receiving last preseason but was one of the final cuts when the Lions trimmed their roster to 53 players.
He spent most of last season on the practice squad, transitioned to tight end late in the year, added 20 pounds this offseason and has worked primarily as the No. 4 tight end this summer behind LaPorta, Brock Wright and veteran Tyler Conklin, who missed time early in camp with a calf injury.
With one preseason game left next Saturday, Aug. 29, against the Indianapolis Colts − and cuts the day after − Meeks is once again fighting for a back-end roster spot. He looks more qualified to win a position on his own this year, and his case could be helped by the Lions' injury concerns at the position
LaPorta is returning from season-ending back surgery, No. 2 tight end Brock Wright missed time last season with a freak throat injury, Conklin is 31 years old, and the Lions lost two other tight ends to injuries in camp, Anthony Firkser and undrafted rookie Miles Kitselman.
Meeks said he feels at home playing tight end and loves the challenge of learning the nuances of his new position. But he's not taking anything for granted in his pursuit of a job.
“I mean, let’s be honest, I had a good camp last year, too, so that’s why I say I’m never comfortable," he said. "So I have no idea what they’re doing upstairs, I just know that I've got to go out there do my job to the best of my ability and put it in God’s hands."
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Can TE Jackson Meeks make Lions roster after another standout camp?
