Sports

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, who ranks second on the team with 40 receptions this season and is a key part of what's been a 12 personnel-heavy offense, is unlikely to return from injured reserve this season, according to head coach Dan Campbell.

Campbell told reporters Friday that the third-year standout had back surgery, a procedure that went "really well long-term" but will sidelined him "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," Campbell said. "I think that's very, very slim."

LaPorta went on IR last week ahead of a 16-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

LaPorta hadn't practiced all week leading up to the trip to Philly. The 2023 second-round pick had logged at least five receptions in four of the Lions' previous five games, scoring all three of his touchdowns in that span.

At the time, his 489 receiving yards were the second most on the team. He had hauled in all seven of his contested targets and was averaging a career-high 2.00 yards per route run, per PFF.

Brock Wright stepped into the TE1 role against the Eagles and will continue to see an uptick in usage. Detroit will also lean on Ross Dwelley.

As for added support in the run game, tackle Dan Skipper has been called upon in the Lions' jumbo package. Campbell mentioned him Friday as well as practice squad tight end Anthony Firkser, who could get promoted to the active roster this week against the New York Giants.

"Losing Sam hurts cause he's a hell of a football player," Campbell said. "He can do it all: run block, obviously the receiver that you get. 

"But, yet, we still got Brock, and there's things he can do. We've got Ross Dwelley, we got [Skipper]. There's a good chance we may bring [Firkser] this week. And, so, we've got some versatility."

Campbell, a former tight end and tight ends coach, is perhaps best fit to handle this kind of situation. He explained that he still wants the Lions to be able to "dabble" in 12 personnel, or two-tight end packages, because he sees it as a help up front and something that sets the table offensively. That said, there's no doubt the loss of LaPorta is a blow to one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.

LaPorta's back injury interrupted what was another strong season from the Iowa product. He earned second-team All-Pro honors as a rookie, and he caught 60 passes for 726 yards and 7 touchdowns during the 2024 campaign. 

It looks like his 2025 run has ended prematurely.

The Giants will be without rookie QB Jaxson Dart for a second straight week when they take on the Detroit Lions on Sunday, interim head coach Mike Kafka said Friday.

Dart has yet to clear the NFL's concussion protocol after suffering the injury in Week 10's loss to the Chicago Bears and missing New York's Week 11 game against the Green Bay Packers.

The QB was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday as he appeared to be progressing, but is still not ready to suit up. It's unclear if he'll be ready for Week 13's contest with the New England Patriots before the team's Week 14 bye.

Veteran Jameis Winston will start again for the Giants in Week 12 with Dart sidelined.

Winston completed 19 of 21 passes last week against the Packers, throwing for 201 yards with an interception. He also ran for 10 yards and a touchdown. 

The pick proved costly, as New York was driving with under a minute left in the game and down by a touchdown when the QB was intercepted in the end zone. The Giants somehow forced a quick three-and-out to get the ball back with 10 seconds remaining, but Winston was sacked by Micah Parsons and fumbled to end the comeback chance.

He'll have another tough matchup Sunday against the Lions, who are allowing the fifth-fewest yards per game this season (291.8 yards).