Sam LaPorta Injury Update Today: Back Procedure, Injured Reserve, and What It Means for the Lions

Bassyonni

ago 1 hour

Sam LaPorta Injury Update

Detroit will be without star tight end Sam LaPorta on Thanksgiving and, barring a surprise, for the foreseeable future. The second-year All-Pro underwent a back procedure last week and was placed on injured reserve (IR) ahead of Week 13, which mandates a minimum four-game absence. Team officials have characterized his chances of returning in 2025 as “very slim,” framing this as effectively a season-ending setback unless recovery outpaces expectations.

What happened to Sam LaPorta?

LaPorta exited earlier this month with a back issue that did not respond to rest and treatment. After additional evaluation, medical staff recommended a procedure to address the problem rather than attempting a short, incremental ramp-up. That decision triggered the IR move and a reset to his timeline. Even in a best-case scenario, IR rules keep him sidelined at least four games; the public tone from coaches suggests the team is preparing to proceed as if he will not return during the regular season.

Key facts at a glance

Injury: Back
Status: Injured Reserve (eligible to return after four games, but outlook is bleak)
Procedure: Completed last week
Week 13 (Thanksgiving vs. Packers): Out

Who replaces LaPorta at tight end?

Detroit came into Thanksgiving already leaning on Brock Wright as the interim TE1. Hours before kickoff, the club’s inactives confirmed Wright is out (neck), leaving a committee of Ross Dwelley, Anthony Firkser, and Zach Horton to handle snaps and situational roles. Expect the Lions to mix personnel packages to compensate:

12 personnel (two tight ends) on early downs may shrink, replaced by more 11 personnel with an extra wideout.
Pass-protection responsibilities could shift toward backs and chipping receivers to help tackles, especially on long downs.
Red-zone concepts may feature more RB/WR isolations and quick throws rather than the frequent TE option routes LaPorta wins with.

Impact on Detroit’s offense

LaPorta is not just a safety valve—he’s a primary read in the middle of the field, a plus run-blocker, and a red-zone finisher. Without him:

Third-down efficiency can dip; Detroit may lean more on running back checkdowns and quick-game to the slot.
Play-action loses a trusted seam threat; expect more over routes from receivers and screen variations to keep linebackers honest.
Explosive plays might need to come from shot plays to the perimeter rather than layered TE seams.

Personnel notes for Thanksgiving: along with LaPorta and Wright, Kalif Raymond is inactive, tightening receiver depth and further encouraging a heavier workload for the remaining wideouts and running backs.

Fantasy football outlook

Sam LaPorta: Safely drop to IR in redraft. In shallow leagues with limited IR slots, he’s a drop candidate if you need the roster spot.
Next men up: The Dwelley/Firkser/Horton trio profiles as a rotation, not a 1:1 fantasy replacement. If you must stream a TE, prioritize volume elsewhere.
Ripple effects: Expect more targets for backs and the top outside receivers. Detroit’s red-zone pie will likely be redistributed toward RB touches and perimeter iso routes.

Timeline and what to watch next

Short term: Minimum four games on IR; weekly practice windows will be the first hint of any change.
If recovery accelerates: The team could designate LaPorta for return late in the season, but current messaging sets expectations low.
Offseason: Assuming no setbacks, a gradual spring ramp-up is the logical plan, with full competitive return targeted for training camp.

Sam LaPorta is on injured reserve after a back procedure and is out today on Thanksgiving. The club is signaling a very slim chance of a 2025 return, so Detroit will pivot to a committee at tight end and scheme its way around the loss of one of the league’s most dynamic middle-of-the-field weapons.