The Detroit Lions are sputtering as they head into Week 12. The team has lost two of its past three games to lose control of the top seed in the NFC North division, and while they are widely expected to get back in the win column when they take on the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon, the Lions have several big issues that need to be solved if they intend on going on a Super Bowl run.
On Friday, one of the team’s smaller issues quickly became a major problem, thanks to the latest injury update regarding star tight end Sam LaPorta. After getting placed on injured reserve with a back injury, head coach Dan Campbell provided a crushing update on his status that will surely have an impact on Detroit’s offense moving forward.
Sam LaPorta Likely Out for the Rest of the 2025 Campaign
LaPorta burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2023, catching 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning him Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro honors right out of the gate. His production took a step back in 2024, though, as he caught 60 passes for 726 yards and seven scores. There’s no doubt he was still effective, but his inability to get involved in the passing game at times was confusing.
Through nine games this season, LaPorta looked more like himself, as he hauled in 40 receptions for 489 yards and three touchdowns. A back injury landed him on injured reserve before the team’s Week 11 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but the initial hope was that LaPorta would be able to return at some point later in the season.
That glimmer of hope got put out by Campbell on Friday, though. Ahead of the team’s upcoming game against the Giants, Campbell revealed that LaPorta underwent a procedure on his back injury that will very likely rule him out for the remainder of the season, meaning that Detroit is going to have to find a way to replace his production at the tight end position for the rest of the 2025 campaign.
“He did have a procedure, and he’s gonna be out for a while,” Campbell said when speaking to reporters on Friday. “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. Good news is the procedure went really well, long-term.”
Who Will Replace Sam LaPorta at Tight End for the Lions?
GettyLions’ head coach Dan Campbell revealed that Sam LaPorta is likely out for the season with a back injury
The Lions aren’t exactly short on playmaking options on offense, but LaPorta offered a unique skill set that nobody else can offer. Without him, Brock Wright is going to be given the first crack at manning the tight end position, with Ross Dwelley also set to see an increase in snaps moving forward.
Detroit has been at its best this season when it’s been able to lean on its rushing attack, and LaPorta’s absence will surely influence the team to try to get Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery going more consistently for the rest of the campaign. The Lions offense stalled out without LaPorta in Week 11, so you can bet the unit will be looking to put together a bounce-back game against the Giants in Week 12.
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