For the Detroit Lions’, the news on star tight end Sam LaPorta went from bad to worse on Friday. A key offensive weapon, he was expected to miss about four games. But the latest update from coach Dan Campbell suggests the team isn’t just planning for a few games without him, but potentially the rest of their playoff push.

“I think we would be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season at some point,” Campbell said. “I think that’s very, very slim.”

LaPorta’s back injury forced the team’s hand quickly. The Lions had played him in every game until then. The third-year tight end had not practiced leading up to the 16-9 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. Campbell’s update gave the fans a bittersweet relief: the surgery “went really well” and should be beneficial long-term. But the present reality is harsh. 

Campbell revealed that LaPorta underwent back surgery, but the tight end is not going to be on the field “for a while.” Before the injury, LaPorta was one of Detroit’s best receivers with 40 receptions, 489 yards, and three touchdowns.

LaPorta is a quarterback’s trusted security blanket, improving each year and mastering the nuances that make him indispensable in the passing game. In his best outing this season, he caught six of eight targets for 97 yards and a touchdown in the Lions’ loss to the Minnesota Vikings, highlighting the impact he brings when fully involved in the offense.

“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.”

For now, Detroit will rely on backups while hoping for a late-season miracle. Regardless of their optimism, the outlook is bleak for LaPorta this season.

Campbell backs one Lions player to fill in Sam LaPorta’s shoes

Sam LaPorta’s value goes beyond his numbers. He’s a rare tight end who can thrive in multiple roles. In fact, he’s played 15+ games in 2023 and 2024 for the Lions, highlighting his durability. But now Detroit leans on the next man up, and it looks like the coach has a lot of faith in him. 

“Brock’s a jack of all trades,” Campbell recently said. “He does everything for us. He’s one of the most dependable players we have on this team. And at the end of the day, what you really need in the tight end position is versatility and smarts, and he’s got both of those. He checks a lot of boxes of a well-rounded tight end.”

Wright, a veteran since 2021 who has earned full trust from the coaching staff. Known for his mastery of Detroit’s diverse run schemes, Wright’s reliability was proven when the Lions matched a three-year, $12 million offer sheet from the 49ers in 2024 to keep him in Detroit.

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Sure, he isn’t as dynamic as LaPorta, but Wright’s knowledge of the offense gives Detroit a degree of confidence moving forward. LaPorta’s 2025 season looks over for now, but the hope is that his recovery will allow him to return stronger in the future. For now, a win against the struggling New York Giants this week would be a major boost for Detroit, who currently sit third in the NFC.