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The Detroit Lions could have lost one of their main offensive weapons of the season.
Lions star tight end Sam LaPorta is unlikely to return this season after undergoing back surgery, head coach Dan Campbell said during his news conference on Friday.
“I think we’d be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season,” Campbell said. “I think that’s very, very thin.”
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Sam LaPorta (87) of the Detroit Lions watches before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 22, 2025. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“The good news is that the procedure went very well in the long term.”
The loss of LaPorta is huge for a potent Lions offense. The 24-year-old was in the midst of another strong season with 40 receptions for 489 yards and three touchdowns in nine games this season.
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Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta runs with the ball after catching it as Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves (39) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Maryland, on Nov. 9, 2025. (Nick Wass/AP Photo)
The Pro Bowl tight end is second on the team in receptions – Amon-Ra St. Brown leads with 66 – and is third on the team in receiving yards behind St. Brown’s 735 and Jameson Williams’ 562. Backup tight end Brock Wright will take on a more prominent role in LaPorta’s absence.
LaPorta has been an instant contributor since being selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Iowa. In 42 games over three seasons, LaPorta has 186 receptions for 889 yards and 20 touchdowns and is a reliable option for quarterback Jared Goff.
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The Lions fell to 6-4 after a 16-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, a game in which LaPorta did not play, and are currently out of the playoff picture.
They will look to get back on track when they play the lowly New York Giants (2-9) on Sunday at 1 pm ET.
