Sam LaPorta’s season could be over.
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said Friday, Nov. 21, that LaPorta recently underwent back surgery and likely will miss the rest of the year, including today’s game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field.
“So look, Sam did have a procedure and he’s going to be out for a while,” Campbell said during his press conference in Allen Park. “A while. I think we would be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season, at some point. I think that’s very, very slim.”
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LaPorta injured his back in the Lions’ Nov. 9 win over the Washington Commanders, was placed on injured reserve and missed a Nov. 16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Brock Wright played 49 of a possible 59 offensive snaps as the Lions’ No. 1 tight end in LaPorta’s absence and had two catches for 8 yards. Wright will miss Thursday’s game against the Packers as well, with a neck injury.
LaPorta is second on the Lions with 40 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns and has been a key red-zone and third-down threat this year.
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Lions TE depth chart
Here’s the Lions’ roster of tight ends for Thursday’s game against the Packers:
Along with Brock Wright (inactive), the Lions have veteran Ross Dwelley on the roster at tight end, and tight end Anthony Firkser was promoted from the practice squad ahead of Thursday’s game.
LaPorta, who turns 25 in January, set a then-rookie record with 86 catches as a second-round pick out of Iowa in 2023.
He is eligible for a contract extension this offseason and considered one of the Lions’ core homegrown players.
“The good news is the procedure went really well, long-term,” Campbell said.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
