Sam LaPorta Missed 9 Games, and What Coach Campbell Said Has the League Watching

Alright 12s, buckle up because there's some serious buzz flying out of Detroit, and yeah, it actually matters to us in the Emerald City. Remember Sam LaPorta, the Lions' tight end who absolutely went off as a rookie? Well, he was a "partial participant" in their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, June 16, and what Lions coach Dan Campbell dropped before practice has everyone in the league doing a double-take. He could be cleared for the start of training camp next month! We're talking JULY, folks!

The Disc Drama and the Road Back

This isn't some minor tweak, right? LaPorta played in just NINE games last season because of a brutal herniated disc in his back. NINE GAMES! He went under the knife for surgery back in November, and honestly, we haven't seen him in any full-speed team drills this spring. So to hear Coach Campbell say, "We like where he's going" and "He's trending the right way" is huge! On Tuesday, we saw him with the first-team offense during their 25-minute jog-through, which he's apparently been doing for the last couple of weeks during open OTA practices. Yeah, he was off to the side with a trainer during seven-on-seven and position drills later, but still, the progress is undeniable.

Why This Dude Matters to Detroit's Offense

Let's be real, why are we even talking about a Detroit tight end? Because LaPorta is legit. This guy, a second-round pick out of Iowa in 2023, didn't just play, he set an NFL rookie record with 86 catches for 889 yards. EIGHTY-SIX! Across his two seasons, he's pulled in 100 catches for 1,215 ya

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rds. That's a massive target. No wonder they're expecting him to sign a contract extension this summer. The Lions have six tight ends on their roster, and they even had receiver Jackson Meeks working with the tight ends this spring, which tells you they're trying to figure things out without their top guy. Getting LaPorta back is a game-changer for their offense.

New Faces in Motown's Receiving Corps

And speaking of weapons, the Lions aren't sitting still. After a workout on Tuesday, they just brought in two UFL receivers, Lucky Jackson and Tarik Black, both from the league champion Louisville Kings. Jackson actually spent three games with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 and has bounced around the UFL and CFL. He snagged 32 catches for 392 yards for the Kings this season and was a return threat too, averaging 11.9 yards on punt returns. Black, who played college ball at Michigan and Texas, had one catch for 10 yards with the Jets in 2021 and has been on rosters for the Colts, Ravens, Steelers, and Dolphins. They're definitely looking to add depth and competition, which is smart when a key player is coming off a major injury. So, while we're hyped for our boys at Lumen Field with Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba ready to light it up, it's worth keeping an eye on what's brewing across the league. LaPorta's potential July return from a herniated disc is a big deal, signaling a strong recovery that could make the Lions a tough out for any team. It's early in the season, but these kinds of injury updates set the tone. Get ready, folks, because the NFL calendar just got a whole lot more interesting, and we'll be watching every snap!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.