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The Detroit Lions could have lost one of their best offensive weapons for 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 press conference Friday.
“I think we’d be lucky to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season,” Campbell said. “I think it’s very, very slim.
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Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on September 22, 2025. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“The good news is that the procedure went really well in the long term.”
The loss of LaPorta is a massive loss for a potent Lions offense. The 24-year-old was in the midst of another strong season with 40 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.
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Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta runs with the ball after making a catch as Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves (39) defends during the first half in Landover, Md., Nov. 9, 2025. (Nick Wass/AP Photo)
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 be thrust into a more prominent role in LaPorta’s absence.
LaPorta became an immediate contributor since being drafted 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 LaPorta did not play in, and are 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 p.m. ET.
