The Detroit Lions’ 2025 season has not gone the way the team hoped after finishing 2024 with a record of 15-2. They had a strong start but have been inconsistent for the majority of the season.
Part of what has hampered the team has been injuries, which include their top tight end, Sam LaPorta. Now, they face the Dallas Cowboys on “Thursday Night Football” for a key NFC game, and fans are wondering if LaPorta might be able to return for the game.
Will Lions TE Sam LaPorta Be Able To Return for the TNF Game Against the Cowboys?
The Lions had a rematch of the 2024 Divisional game against the Washington Commanders in Week 10. This time, they won 44-22. However, LaPorta went down with an injury.
It initially appeared to be a minor back injury, but ultimately, head coach Dan Campbell reported that it is much worse than that.
Campbell told the media that LaPorta required back surgery to repair the injury and announced that his return this season was in danger.
“Sam did have a procedure, and he’s going ot be out for a while. 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,” said Campbell.
Detroit placed LaPorta on injured reserve on Nov. 21, requiring him to miss at least four games and making him unavailable until mid-December. However, the team has not yet activated him to return to practice, so he’s not available to play in the upcoming Thursday night game against the Cowboys.
While it hasn’t been confirmed, it seems unlikely that LaPorta will return for the 2025 season unless the Lions make the playoffs and he’s cleared to return.
This is a huge blow to a team that has been reeling from injuries all season. According to PFSN’s TE Impact metric, LaPorta has a grade of B+, with a score of 87.3. Through those nine games, he caught 40 out of 49 attempted passes for 489 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
LaPorta is in his third season in the NFL after being drafted in the second round by the Lions in 2023. He quickly made a name for himself, even making the Pro Bowl in his rookie season and setting a record for postseason receiving yards by a first-year tight end.
Before his injury, he was considered a top tight end in the league and a critical member of the Lions roster. He was second in receptions on the team, trailing only wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Now, with St. Brown dealing with a high ankle sprain and LaPorta remaining on the IR, the Lions are going to be desperate for the next man up to rise to the occasion and fill the void that LaPorta’s injury has caused.
