As the Detroit Lions prepare for their final game of the season, head coach Dan Campbell offered an important update on tight end Sam LaPorta’s recovery and long-term outlook, while also speaking candidly about how injuries in the tight end room have impacted the offense down the stretch.
“He’s getting better,” Campbell said. “It wouldn’t have been one of those situations where, if we made the playoffs, he’d have had a chance to play — no. But I feel like next year isn’t off the table early in the year. You’d like to believe we’d get him for training camp — but you’re talking about a back. He’s improving, but he’s not completely healed.”
Campbell also acknowledged the uncertainty that naturally comes with injuries to areas like the neck and back.
“Anytime you’re talking about a neck or a back — those things can be concerning, because you don’t know exactly what’s going to come out of it,” he said. “How do they recover? That’s always kind of going to be back there until he’s either fully healed or he’s not quite there.”
Still, the update wasn’t without optimism.
“I’d like to believe he’ll have a lot of time to heal,” Campbell added. “He’s rehabbing every day. He feels better after the surgery than he did before — that’s a positive. It took a lot of stress off that nerve. We’ll see.”
Tight End Injuries Have Reshaped Detroit’s Offense
Beyond LaPorta’s situation, the Lions have been forced to adjust after multiple injuries at tight end, a position Campbell emphasized is central to Detroit’s offensive identity.
“Tight ends are a big part of what we do, certainly in the run game, but the pass game as well,” he explained. “So when you lose your top two guys, it becomes harder for sure. It’s affected us.”
With LaPorta and Brock Wright unavailable at times this season, Detroit has leaned heavily on veteran depth.
“It’s good to get Zylstra back,” Campbell said. “He’s a pro, he’s a vet, he can do a lot of jobs. And then Ferg — he’s got some versatility too. It’s been good to have those two guys.”
Bold Outlook for 2026: Cautious Optimism Around LaPorta’s Return
Campbell’s comments point to a recovery path that is encouraging but measured. The organization remains hopeful LaPorta will be available early next season, potentially by training camp, but the team is prioritizing long-term stability over rushing his return.
For now, Detroit will continue relying on experience and versatility in the tight end group while LaPorta focuses on the most important objective:
Time, patience, and full healing.
