Sam Laporta Out Longer After Back Surgery

It looks like Sam Laporta’s time on injured reserve is going to stretch out. Coach Dan Campbell confirmed on Friday that Laporta underwent back surgery after being placed on IR last week, and the odds of him returning this season are “very, very low.”

“Honestly, I think we’ll be fortunate if we get him back at all this season,” Campbell explained to the media. “The chances are extremely slim.”

On a brighter note, Campbell added, “The surgery was very successful long-term.”

This week, the Lions will face the Giants, marking the second game in a row without the 24-year-old star.

Laporta’s absence is a significant loss for the Detroit offense, as he stands third on the team with 489 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Fifth-year tight end Brock Wright will need to fill in for Laporta, which is a pretty tall order, given how crucial Laporta has been to the team’s game plan.

Offensive coordinator John Morton spoke about Laporta’s versatility. “He’s a well-rounded player—excellent at blocking and receiving. He was particularly dependable on third downs and in the red zone, which is essential,” he noted. “His blocking has gotten noticeably better, so our other tight ends, they’ll really need to step up.”