Lions activate tight end Sam LaPorta for the Rams playoff game.

With the announcement that exceptional rookie tight end Sam LaPorta is active for Sunday night’s wild-card playoff game against the visiting Los Angeles Rams, the Detroit Lions will have a valuable weapon back. After sustaining a knee injury in the final game of the regular season last week, LaPorta broke the record for receptions by an NFL rookie tight end with 86. In addition, he had 889 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

Right guard Kevin Dotson, defensive back Duke Shelley, and tight end Tyler Higbee will all be active for Los Angeles. The Lions added tight end Anthony Firsker and cornerback Chase Lucas this week. They will be without cornerback Jerry Jacobs (thigh), tight end James Mitchell (hand), and wide Kalif Raymond (knee). Detroit also activated fullback Jason Cabinda and defensive lineman Tyson Alualu off the practice squad.

READ MORE: LIVE BLOG: Watch the Lions Take on the Rams in Their Wild Card Match

Finally, Detroit’s long wait for postseason football is ended.

This Sunday’s game between the Lions and the organization will mark both their first playoff hosting at Ford Field and its first since January 8, 1994.

Matthew Stafford, the former quarterback for the Lions team, will start for the Los Angeles Rams. Despite being the Lions’ leader for 12 seasons, Stafford was unable to lead the team to a division championship.

Now, with Jared Goff at the helm, the Lions have achieved that goal and have their sights set on the organization’s first playoff win since Jan. 5, 1992.

Goff will have to beat his former team. Though current Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris wasn’t leading the defense when Goff was with the Rams, he’s more than familiar with what the passer is able to do.

“Watching him right now, he’s leading a franchise and he’s brought a franchise back that, really, was on the down swing,” Morris stated. “For what they’ve accomplished over the past few years, you have to give him, Dan Campbell, and that ownership group and leadership group a lot of credit. We’ve got some amazing soundbites from (Campbell), I’m watching my kneecaps. They exude toughness and have accomplished a great deal of excellent things.

“Jared has been able to demonstrate that since he’s been there, and it’s really what most good coaches are about.” The emotional outburst that occurs at the conclusion of several of these games, as well as the mental toughness and interpersonal skills.”