Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell recently addressed the media from the club's mandatory minicamp. He discussed several pressing topics heading into a pivotal season, including star tight end Sam LaPorta.
LaPorta has regressed since bursting onto the scene as a rookie en route to Pro Bowl and All-Pro Second Team nods in 2023. Several factors have weighed into his decline, though injuries top the list. He's been so banged up over the past two campaigns, dealing with shoulder, ankle, knee and most recently — and most concerning of all — back issues.
This past November, LaPorta underwent surgery to repair a fully herniated disc. When asked if he'll be ready for the start of Detroit's training camp later this summer, Campbell danced around the question. Frankly, it was the type of vague response that should raise flags, even if the update was intended to be positive.
Dan Campbell's ambiguous injury update on Sam LaPorta isn't what Lions fans want to hear
With no context, Campbell saying he and Lions "like" the direction LaPorta's heading would be encouraging. But reading between the lines, the latter isn't there yet, nor does he seem to be particularly close.
The Lions are in the late stages of Phase 3 of their 2026 offseason workout program. This is the time when they're supposed to begin gearing up for a long, grueling campaign. Meanwhile, LaPorta has reportedly been held out of "full-speed team drills" to this point, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press ($).
Stay ready so you don't have to get ready, as the saying goes. Not being able to prepare for what lies ahead now puts LaPorta behind the eight ball. The length of his ongoing recovery becomes more worrisome when factoring in that Detroit's also installing a new scheme under offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
READ MORE: Rock Ya-Sin sounds like Terrion Arnold's biggest threat headed into training camp
Perhaps Detroit and LaPorta aren’t in a rush because the Iowa product is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. For the sake of playing devil's advocate, the cautious approach makes it fair to wonder if an extension is on the horizon. Either way, Week 1 is quietly around the corner, so the clock is ticking.
Before getting hurt in 2025, LaPorta appeared to be returning to the form that we saw when he first entered the NFL. The 25-year-old posted 40 receptions for 489 receiving yards and three touchdowns. His strong 2.00 yards per route run ranked fifth among 54 TEs who drew at least 25 targets, per Pro Football Focus ($).
Add us as a preferred source on Google