Lions HC Dan Campbell Gives Uneasy Update on TE Sam LaPorta

Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions consistently run out one of the NFL's most explosive offenses, and with Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St.

Key points

• More news: Bears Insider Raises Concern Over Star CB's Status Ahead of 2026 Season.
• More news: Malik Willis Praises Competitive Fire in Dolphins' Unproven WR Room.
• 34 overall) out of Iowa in 2023, and he broke out immediately.
• But there's another player who remains a key part of that high-powered attack: tight end Sam LaPorta.
• Unfortunately, LaPorta suffered a hip injury during a recent Lions practice and has already missed multiple practices this week.

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Unfortunately, LaPorta suffered a hip injury during a recent Lions practice and has already missed multiple practices this week. Now, it looks like there's a real chance he could miss the start of the 2026 season.

While acknowledging he's not sure whether the star tight end will be available for Week 1, speaking with reporters Thursday, head coach Dan Campbell remarked the team is keeping LaPorta sidelined to let him rest and "calm down" before his return.

"It flared up a little bit, it's a little aggravated, " Campbell remarked. "But we feel good long-term regarding him. We'll rest him for a little bit here and let it calm down."

When asked whether the injury could cause LaPorta to miss time in the regular season, Campbell remarked, "I don't know. I feel like we'll be OK, but I don't know."

More news: Bears Insider Raises Concern Over Star CB's Status Ahead of 2026 Season. More news: Commanders Receive Tough Injury News on Rising Star Defender.

LaPorta was Detroit's second-round pick (No. 34 overall) out of Iowa in 2023, and he broke out immediately. He appeared in all 17 games as a rookie, hauling in 86 catches on 120 targets for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors.

For context, the matter is that his numbers, and his availability, have declined since. In 2024, his totals dropped to 726 yards and seven touchdowns on 60 catches, and last season he finished with just 489 yards and three touchdowns on 40 catches before suffering a season-ending back injury. That injury required surgery and limited him to just nine games.

LaPorta is still, without a doubt, one of the best tight ends in football. But as the saying goes, availability is the best ability – and right now, it's looking like the Lions could be without one of their star players when the season kicks off in a few weeks from now. Detroit opens the 2026 season at home against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Sept. 13.

In short, lions HC Dan Campbell Gives Uneasy Update on TE Sam LaPorta is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.