The Detroit Lions offense was dealt a tough blow recently when tight end Sam LaPorta came down with a back injury.
LaPorta suffered the injury in the Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders. He didn't practice at all the following week before being placed on injured reserve, which means he's going to miss at least four games in total.
However, based on an injury update from Lions head coach Dan Campbell, it looks like he's going to be out a lot longer than that.
Will Sam LaPorta return in Week 13?
No, LaPorta won't play in Week 13 because he has to remain on injured reserve for a minimum of two more weeks.
But LaPorta, who had to undergo back surgery, may not make it back at all this season, Lions head coach Dan Campbell revealed.
"I think we would be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season," Campbell said of LaPorta, according to ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "I think that's very, very slim."
"The good news is the procedure went really well long-term," Campbell added.
As far as the exact details behind LaPorta's back injury go, they remain unclear as of this writing. Nevertheless, his injury is obviously serious enough to threaten his rest-of-season status.
With LaPorta on the shelf, the Lions will deploy Brock Wright and Ross Dwelley as their top two tight ends and the team has Anthony Firkser and Zach Horton on the practice squad.
But none of those players can match what LaPorta can do in the passing game, so he will be sorely missed.
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