The Detroit Lions are missing one of their best players.
They won’t have tight end Sam LaPorta for their final joint practice with the Miami Dolphins, and it might be a while before he’s back on the field.
“Lions TE Sam LaPorta will miss ‘a little bit of time’ with an injury, per Dan Campbell,” The Detroit Times wrote on X.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta will miss “a little bit of time” with an injury, per Dan Campbell pic.twitter.com/BeP3fHZZQQ
— ??? ??????? ????? ? (@the_det_times) August 14, 2025
While Campbell doesn’t seem worried, this is a situation to keep an eye on.
This is the second time that LaPorta has missed time in training camp because of an injury, including last year.
A second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, he has established himself as one of the most productive pass catchers in the league.
In two seasons, he has 146 receptions for 1,615 yards and 17 touchdowns.
He set an NFL record for receptions by a first-year tight end, but Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders took away that distinction last season.
The Lions can turn to Brock Wrght, Zach Horton, Shane Zylstra and Gunnar Oakes at tight end.
They recently lost Kenny Yeboah to a season-ending knee injury, but they should still be more than set to deal with LaPorta’s absence.
The Lions enter this season with major questions after losing coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, respectively, this offseason.
But with most of their talented roster returning, Detroit should continue to be a Super Bowl contender.
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