The Lions’ offense lost a significant weapon when the team placed tight end Sam LaPorta on injured reserve this past Saturday. LaPorta will miss at least four games with a back injury, and it doesn’t seem certain that he’ll return this season.
“I’m hopeful, but I really don’t know,” head coach Dan Campbell said of a potential LaPorta comeback (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
Campbell’s comments came after a 16-9 loss to the Eagles on Sunday. Detroit’s offense endured a miserable night in its first game without LaPorta this season. The unit finished 3 for 13 on third downs and failed to convert any of its five fourth-down tries. Quarterback Jared Goff completed just 14 of 37 passes for 255 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Backup tight end Brock Wright, LaPorta’s replacement, caught two passes for eight yards.
LaPorta has established himself as one of the NFL’s top tight ends since debuting as a second-round pick in 2023. He hasn’t caught fewer than three passes in a game or recorded a drop in 2025. The 24-year-old has pulled in 40 of 49 targets for 489 yards and three touchdowns in nine games. LaPorta ranks in the top three among Lions in catches, targets, yards, and TDs.
If all goes well in his recovery, LaPorta will return in Week 15 against the Rams, which is setting up as an important game for both teams. The 8-2 Rams are currently the second seed in the NFC. The Lions were the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs last January, but they’re now No. 8 after falling to 6-4 on Sunday.
Having already doubled last year’s loss total, the Lions have to make up ground over the next three weeks (if not longer) without LaPorta. That stretch includes a crucial Thanksgiving Day meeting with the NFC North rival Packers (6-3-1), who defeated the Lions in the teams’ first matchup this year.