ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions’ offense, already struggling to meet high expectations, has suffered a significant blow. All-Pro tight end Sam LaPorta was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a back injury that emerged suddenly last week.
LaPorta, who missed three consecutive practices, is now mandated to sit out at least four weeks. Head coach Dan Campbell addressed the timeline Monday, expressing a cautious outlook.
“We are talking about four weeks here,” Campbell said. “Obviously, we’re going to hope that this thing calms down and after those four games we can get him back. But we’re really just taking this day-by-day, week-by-week. I’m hopeful, but I really don’t know.”
The loss of LaPorta, who set rookie records in 2023 and has remained one of the NFL’s premier tight ends, creates a major void. This season, he ranks among the league leaders at his position with 489 receiving yards on 40 receptions, producing elite numbers despite sharing targets in a talented offense.
His value extends beyond pure volume. LaPorta is a uniquely versatile weapon, being the only player this season to record at least 80 receiving yards and a touchdown from alignments split out wide, in the slot, and in-line, according to Next Gen Stats. His efficiency is highlighted by an EPA per target of 0.77, third-highest among tight ends.
Since entering the league, LaPorta has been a crucial security blanket for quarterback Jared Goff. The duo has connected for 2,101 yards and 19 touchdowns against just five interceptions, with Goff posting a 115.3 passer rating when targeting him. Known for his reliable hands—catching all seven of his contested targets this year—and his ability to gain yards after the catch, LaPorta consistently finds openings in zone coverage to create easy completions.
“He’s one of those tight ends, he’s real savvy and boy is he really good after the catch,” offensive coordinator John Morton said earlier this month, comparing his athleticism to that of a wide receiver. “He might be one of the best tight ends after the catch with [George] Kittle and those guys… He’s a special player.”
Furthermore, LaPorta has made significant strides as a blocker. Campbell recently noted that his biggest improvement has been in the run game and pass protection, making him a complete, every-down player.
With LaPorta sidelined, the Lions turn to Brock Wright, a trusted veteran who has been with the team since 2021. Detroit showed its confidence in Wright by matching a three-year, $12 million offer sheet from the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. Campbell praised him as a “jack of all trades” and one of the team’s most dependable players, citing his versatility, intelligence, and toughness.
However, filling LaPorta’s shoes will be a challenge. In the first game without him against the Eagles, the offense was out of sync, and Goff completed just two of seven passes to Wright for eight yards and an interception.
The injury also forces a potential schematic shift. Through Week 10, the Lions utilized two-tight end sets (12 personnel) on 32.9% of their offensive snaps, the seventh-highest rate in the NFL. In these formations, they have been exceptionally effective, leading the league with a 138.9 passer rating. Against the Eagles, that usage plummeted to a single snap, while their use of three-receiver sets (11 personnel) jumped from 53% to 75%.
The team has veteran Ross Dwelley for depth and has experimented with converting rookie receiver Jackson Meeks to tight end. But the most immediate adjustment will fall on the existing offensive playmakers. Key players like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams must eliminate dropped passes, the offensive line needs to establish consistency, and the coaching staff may need to lean more heavily on the run game.
At the earliest, LaPorta can return for the Lions’ Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Until then, the entire offense must elevate its performance to compensate for the absence of one of its most dynamic weapons.
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