The Detroit Lions were dealt a major setback in their push for the NFC North title, and the timing couldn’t have been much worse.
Sam LaPorta Moved to Injured Reserve Amid Back Injury Concerns
Tight end Sam LaPorta, one of Detroit’s most valuable offensive weapons, has officially been placed on injured reserve due to a lingering back issue. The move sidelines him until at least the middle of December.
LaPorta, who is in the first year of a four-year rookie deal worth roughly $9.47 million, was moved to IR on Saturday afternoon—less than a day before the Lions’ primetime clash with the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. The announcement blindsided fans and analysts alike.
Reports indicate he likely sustained the injury during Week 10, though he finished that game with five catches for 53 yards and showed no visible discomfort. He didn’t participate in practice throughout the week and was already ruled out for Sunday before the IR decision made his extended absence official.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero confirmed the news, noting that LaPorta will be sidelined for at least four games. That timeline means Detroit will be without him for critical matchups against the Eagles, Giants, Packers, and Cowboys—a brutal stretch that could significantly impact playoff positioning.
Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t provide specifics on the injury when questioned Friday, only mentioning that LaPorta would likely miss practice
Detroit Turns to Its Depth Chart
With their TE1 unavailable, the Lions are shifting responsibilities to Brock Wright, who Campbell praised for his versatility and reliability. Wright has long been viewed as a dependable all-around contributor—capable of blocking, route-running, and contributing on special teams.
Ross Dwelley remains the only other tight end on the active roster. Meanwhile, defensive standout Aidan Hutchinson has his own injury concerns after missing practice with an elbow issue, increasing the pressure on both sides of the ball. To offset the losses, Detroit elevated Tom Kennedy and Jackson Meeks from the practice squad.
Still, none of the replacements bring the same impact or dynamic skill set that LaPorta provides.
Fan Reaction: Shock, Anger, and Fantasy Football Panic
The news hit social media like a bombshell. Many fans were stunned that no prior hints about LaPorta’s back injury surfaced during the week.
One shocked supporter wrote, “How is LaPorta suddenly out four weeks when we heard nothing all week?”
Another lamented, “The Lions just lost their secret weapon.”
A third summed up the mood simply: “Huge loss for Detroit.”
Fantasy football players didn’t hide their frustration either. One enraged user posted, “There goes my fantasy season.”
Detroit’s offense ranked seventh league-wide before the announcement. Now they enter their toughest four-game run without their second-most productive pass catcher. In LaPorta’s absence, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams will be expected to shoulder even more responsibility to keep the Lions from slipping in the standings.
