Sam LaPorta sidelined with hip injury during Lions practice

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is currently sidelined due to a hip injury sustained during practice. Head coach Dan Campbell stated that while the injury has flared up, the team is not overly concerned about LaPorta’s long-term health and plans to rest him to prevent further aggravation.

Campbell noted that it remains uncertain whether LaPorta will be available for the Lions' season opener against the New Orleans Saints on September 13. This setback follows a previous back injury involving a disc herniation that limited LaPorta to nine games during the 2025 season.

Despite the recent hip issue, medical experts remain optimistic about LaPorta’s potential impact on the offense. Analysts suggest that as the Lions' offense focuses on a core group of players, LaPorta is positioned to be a central target in a high-volume passing attack.