The Detroit Lions‘ offensive plans took an unwelcome turn this weekend as Sam LaPorta was moved to injured reserve because of a lingering back problem.
His absence means Detroit will have to navigate a crucial stretch of the season without one of its most productive pass-catchers.
LaPorta, who entered the week unable to practice and already ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, will now miss at least four contests, a run that spans from Week 11 through a likely return in Week 15.
For a team surging at 6-3 as it chases deep postseason positioning, the timing could not be worse.
LaPorta has been a foundational piece to quarterback Jared Goff and coordinator Ben Johnson‘s scheme, already totaling 40 receptions, 489 yards, and three touchdowns in 2025.
A deeper hit than anticipated
Though the back issue was first reported ahead of Sunday’s primetime matchup with the Eagles, the move to IR signals that Detroit views this as more than a short-term concern.
According to NFL injury-designation rules, the earliest LaPorta could return is Week 15, when the Lions face the Los Angeles Rams.
Head coach Dan Campbell has backed his secondary options. “Brock’s a guy we don’t talk a lot about, but he’s the jack of all trades,” Campbell said of backup TE Brock Wright.
“He does everything for us; pass protect, run block, he can run some routes, he plays special teams.”
Still, replacing LaPorta‘s blend of receiving prowess and blocking acumen is no small task. Per analytics site Pro Football Focus, he ranked second among tight ends this season in yards per route and converted every contested catch opportunity, a combination of consistency and elite efficiency.
With LaPorta sidelined, the Lions will need to lean more heavily on wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, rookie receiver Jameson Williams, and the complementary running back tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to fill the evident void.
From a strategic standpoint, the Lions face a powerful test. In the immediate absence span, they play the Eagles, then pad a home-heavy schedule with the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, and Dallas Cowboys.
Maintaining momentum without LaPorta‘s presence will require adaptive scheming and strong execution.
The tight end room behind Wright is thin. Veteran Ross Dwelley will step into a larger role, and rookie wide receiver Jackson Meeks has been cross-trained as a hybrid H-back in anticipation of just this kind of scenario.
But neither inherits the target volume or blocking profile LaPorta delivered week after week.
For Goff, losing his reliable second option behind St. Brown presents a challenge. It forces the offense to reset certain timing and trust rhythms, particularly in red-zone and mid-range situations where LaPorta thrived.
For St. Brown and Williams, it opens greater volume and expectation. For Gibbs and Montgomery, it likely means increased responsibility in the passing game.
Read the full article here
