The Detroit Lions suffered a tough blow at the tight end position after Sam LaPorta landed on injured reserve last week.
LaPorta was diagnosed with a back injury that landed him on the injury report in Week 11 and ultimately led to his placement on injured reserve .
Because he has already missed one game, LaPorta will miss at least three more thanks to the four-week-minimum stay on IR.
However, it appears he’s going to be out a lot longer than that.
Is Sam LaPorta out for the season?
Sadly, it doesn’t look like LaPorta will be back this season after having surgery on his back.
During the week, head coach Dan Campbell said the Lions would be “fortunate” to get LaPorta back at all in 2025, per ESPN’s Eric Woodyard .
“I think we would be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season,” Campbell said. “I think that’s very, very slim.”
“The good news is the procedure went really well long-term,” Campbell added.
This is a devastating blow for the Lions’ offense, as LaPorta is a great blocker and is one of quarterback Jared Goff’s most trusted targets. Entering Week 12, LaPorta is ranked third on the team in receiving yards with 489.
“I mean he’s a hell of an all-around blocker, receiver, he can do it all. But he was really reliable on third down in the red zone, that’s the biggest thing,” offensive coordinator John Morton said of LaPorta.
“But his blocking on first and second down. I mean the way he’s improved with his blocking, it’s just been awesome. So, our other guys — all the tight ends have got to step up,” Morton added.
With LaPorta out for the long haul, Detroit will be deploying Brock Wright as their starter, and Ross Dwelley should be the main backup. At least for Week 12, Detroit will elevate tight end Anthony Firkser to serve as the No. 3 tight end.
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