Sam LaPorta has been one of the bright spots in Detroit’s offense since entering the league, and his 2025 campaign looked like another strong season in the making. He posted solid numbers and remained one of Jared Goff’s most trusted targets.
However, that momentum has come to an abrupt halt, and his season now appears to be over. LaPorta’s back issue first surfaced earlier in the month, when he missed practice sessions and was later ruled out for Detroit’s matchup against the Commanders.
The discomfort persisted, eventually forcing the Lions to place him on injured reserve. He recently underwent a back procedure to address the problem. Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed the surgery and made it clear that LaPorta’s chances of returning before the end of the year are extremely slim.
“So look, Sam did have a procedure and he’s going to be out for a while,” Campbell said during his press conference. “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.”
The procedure went as planned, but the recovery timeline leaves little room for a late-season comeback. This is a significant setback for a Lions team fighting to stay competitive in the NFC.
Breaking: Lions HC Dan Campbell told reporters that TE Sam LaPorta underwent a back procedure and is now unlikely to return this season. pic.twitter.com/thznEwAvEy
— ESPN (@espn) November 21, 2025
Detroit is currently 6–4 and sits third in the NFC North, and losing a dynamic offensive weapon like LaPorta complicates their push for a playoff spot. Without him, Detroit must rely on depth pieces and adjust an offense that heavily benefits from tight end versatility.
What Happened to Sam LaPorta?
LaPorta’s injury originated from a back problem that worsened over two weeks. What initially looked like a minor setback quickly escalated when the pain continued and limited his ability to move and practice.
With the issue not improving, the Lions opted for caution and placed him on injured reserve. The next step was surgery, which doctors and the team decided was the best move for his long-term health.
“Losing Sam hurts cause he’s a hell of a football player,” Campbell SAID. “He can do it all. Run block, obviously the receiver that you get, but yet we still got Brock and there’s things he can do, we got Ross Dwelley, we got Skip (swing tackle Dan Skipper). There’s a good chance we may bring (Firkser this week), and so we’ve got some versatility.”
For LaPorta, the focus shifts toward recovery and ensuring his future remains on track. For the Lions, the challenge is adjusting quickly and staying competitive in a tight division race. The injury not only removes one of their top offensive contributors but also disrupts the rhythm the unit had built in the first half of the season.
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