Report: Sam LaPorta fully cleared from injury for Lions training camp
· Yahoo Sports
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has been fully medically cleared and is expected to enter next week’s training camp as a full participant.
Visit biznow.biz for more information.
LaPorta suffered a herniated disc in his back last year, forcing him to have surgery and miss the final eight games of the season. But when the Lions returned to the field for OTAs and minicamp in the spring, LaPorta was back on the field doing walkthroughs—a sign his recovery was still on schedule.
“We like where he is going, he is trending the right way,” coach Dan Campbell said during minicamp in June.
We have yet to hear from LaPorta himself this offseason, but on locker cleanout day after the 2025 season, he said it was the goal to be a full go by training camp.
“Hopefully by OTAs I’m up running around, and then, of course, we’ll be in pads in training camp,” LaPorta said. “So, it’s a lot different than other sports, just to be able to brace for those hits, and the accumulation of a long NFL season, I’ve really got to get this back right before I’m out there running around in pads and taking those hits and such.”
Getting LaPorta back will be key to Detroit’s offense in 2026. Last year, he produced 40 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns in his injury-shortened season. That was actually the most yards per game he’s accumulated in a single season, and there are other signifiers that LaPorta could be in for a career year.
That includes the hiring of new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who helped turn Cardinals tight end Trey McBride into an All-Pro.
“I was like, ‘Man, you’re going to love it. You’re going to eat, you’re going to have a great career,’” McBride reportedly told LaPorta this offseason. “I’m excited for him.”
Lions rookies are set to report to training camp on Saturday, July 25, while veterans will report on Tuesday, July 28.