The 2025 season has been a baffling ride for Detroit Lions fans. Dan Campbell’s squad, usually known for its grit and consistency, can’t seem to find a rhythm this year. They are currently sitting outside the NFC playoff picture, and the mood in Detroit is tense.
Now, a brutal injury update has just turned a frustrating season into a potential nightmare.
Will Sam LaPorta Return This Season?
Blame for the team’s struggles is flying everywhere, from a shaky offensive line to the new coordinators. However, injuries are the real story here. The offense took a massive hit when tight end Sam LaPorta went down, and the latest update confirms the worst fears for the franchise.
LaPorta established himself as a star immediately after the Lions drafted him in the second round in 2023. He earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors quickly and has been a fixture in the top 10 of PFSN’s TE Impact rankings every year he has played.
The 2025 campaign was shaping up to be his best yet. He sat fourth in the TEi rankings, racking up 489 receiving yards and three touchdowns in just nine games.
Even on a roster loaded with weapons like Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery, LaPorta was often the engine that made the offense go. He was the unsung hero keeping the chains moving for Detroit.
That momentum crashed to a halt in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders. What looked like a standard back injury turned out to be much worse than anyone thought, landing him on injured reserve shortly after the game.
The impact was instant. Without their safety valve, Detroit managed just nine points in a Week 11 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Fans hoping for a quick fix got bad news this week. Dave Birkett broke the news on X, “Dan Campbell confirms Lions TE Sam LaPorta had a surgery on his back, chances of him returning this year are ‘very, very slim.'”
The head coach didn’t sugarcoat the reality when addressing the media. The situation sounds dire for the star tight end. “Sam did have a procedure, and he’s going to be out for a while, a while,” Campbell said. “I think we would be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season at some point. I think that (chance) is very, very slim.”
Brock Wright will now have to step up and carry the load at tight end. But for a squad with Super Bowl dreams that has fought inconsistency all season, losing LaPorta might be the hit that finally knocks them out of contention.
Detroit Lions’ Insights for Week 12
Team: According to PFSN Analytics, the loss to Philadelphia dropped Detroit’s chances of winning the NFC North dropped 18.8% to 28.3%.
QB: Jared Goff had a 67.8 (D+) QBi in Week 11. It’s his lowest since posting a 65.7 (D) in Week 5 of the 2022season.
Offense: Detroit registered a 63.8 (D) OFFi against the Eagles in Week 11. It’s the lowest OFFi score since Dan Campbell became head coach in 2021.
Defense: The Lions’ 82.5 (B-) DEFi score against the Eagles was fourth best of the season. The score ranked 6th in the NFL for Week 11, marking the sixth time the Lions have ranked in the top eight for a week.
Fantasy: In the two games since Dan Campbell took over playcalling duties, Jameson Williams has six catches for 108 yards and two TDs on first downs (in his first eight games this season: six catches for 123 yards and zero touchdowns in such spots).
