NFL news: Lions’ Sam LaPorta unlikely to return this season after surgery
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The Detroit Lions may have lost one of their best offensive weapons of the season.
Lions star Sam LaPorta is unlikely to return this season after undergoing back surgery, head coach Dan Campbell said during Friday’s press conference.
“I think we’re lucky to have the opportunity to have him back for the rest of the season,” Campbell said. “I think that’s very, very subtle.”
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Sam LaPorta (87) of the Detroit Lions looks on before the NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 22, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“The good news is that the procedure went really well in the long run.”
Losing LaPorta is a huge loss for a strong Lions offense. The 24-year-old was in the midst of another strong season this 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 Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves (39) catches the ball while defending during the first half of an NFL football game on November 9, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Nick Wass/AP Photo)
The Pro Bowl tight end ranks second on the team in receptions — Amon-Ra St. Brown leads St. Louis with 66 — and trails St. Louis in receiving yards. He ranks third on the team behind 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 immediate 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 losing 16-9 to the Philadelphia Eagles, without LaPorta, and are now out of the playoff picture.
They will try to get back on track when they face the New York Giants (2-9) on Sunday at 13:00.
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