The Detroit Lions tight end, Sam LaPorta has been cleared to play after recovering from a herniated disc that ended his 2025 season.
LaPorta underwent surgery in November to repair the injury that limited him to nine games last season.
Lions Pro Bowl TE Sam LaPorta (herniated disc) was fully cleared earlier this month, per source, setting him up for training camp.
Detroit will determine level of involvement, but @ttwentyman noted he’s expected to be full go.
Surgery repaired the issue last year. pic.twitter.com/cySzbSc4DS
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 21, 2026
Even in a small season, LaPorta displayed flashes of why he’s seen as one of Detroit’s most important offensive pieces.
He caught 40 passes for 489 yards and three touchdowns, stats that in fact turned into the best yards-per-game rate of his career.
He also had career bests in catch percentage and success rate before the injury cut things short.
Head coach Dan Campbell has been watching LaPorta’s progress closely and offered a positive update at minicamp in June, stating the tight end is heading in the right direction.
According to Yahoo Sports, LaPorta himself had been working toward that since locker cleanout day, when his objective was to be a full participant by camp’s opening day
His return is timely for Detroit’s offensive attack, which will also be adding new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
Petzing previously helped develop Cardinals tight end Trey McBride into an All-Pro, and McBride has apparently been talking up the possibility to LaPorta this offseason.
Lions veterans report to training camp Tuesday, July 28, and LaPorta is expected to be a full go from day one.
