It seems like LaPorta could have been a better answer to some of the team’s red zone woes in Sunday’s 20-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Lions went 1 of 7 in the red zone against the Bucs. LaPorta had just one attempt on a pass into the end zone from quarterback Jared Goff, which resulted in the Bucs being penalized for roughing the passer. LaPorta had just one attempt in the red zone against the Rams in Week 1, an incomplete pass.

“Coach Johnson said it was his fault,” LaPorta said of the offense’s red zone woes last week. “Obviously, we’re the 11 guys out there on the field, so we believe we have credibility for everything we showed on tape. I’m sure you can expect some more creative plays and better execution. We had a couple of red zone penalties last week, we fell behind a couple of times, which is unacceptable. That’s just going to make it harder for you to score down there.”

LaPorta caught four passes for 45 yards in the Lions’ overtime win over Los Angeles in Week 1 and had two catches for 13 yards in last week’s loss to the Bucs.

“We have a lot of unselfish guys that play hard for each other,” Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said Thursday when asked about LaPorta. “As a former receivers coach, I’m very aware that those guys want to get involved, but at the same time, as a team, if we do it right, that’s the right thing to do — (Amon-Ra) St. Brown has a bad game, OK? LaPorta has a bad game, maybe. (Jameson Williams) Jamo — we just alternate that, and that’s why we don’t want anybody to have a long dry spell.”