The Detroit Lions, looking at a strong offense this year even with new faces, just got a tough report about a key player. Tight end Sam LaPorta is dealing with a hip injury, an issue that Dan Campbell revealed to reporters on August 20. While Campbell isn’t “overly serious” about it long-term, there’s a real chance this hip problem could linger right into the regular season. That’s a gut punch for an offense that relies on Goff’s receivers.
This Hip Issue Could Haunt Detroit’s Offense
Colton Pouncy from The Athletic broke the news on Campbell’s update: LaPorta’s got a hip injury, and while the coach “feels good about him long-term,” the Lions are going to rest him for now. Campbell admitted he doesn’t even know if it’ll be cleared up by the time the season kicks off. This isn’t a catastrophic update, sure, the indication is he’ll be okay eventually, but the thought of a starting tight end having a lingering hip problem into Week 1? That’s just not what you want to hear.
What This Means for LaPorta’s Bounce-Back Year
LaPorta, a 25-year-old in his fourth NFL season, caught 40 of 49 passes for 489 yards and three touchdowns last year. He’s primed to be a huge part of Goff’s passing attack, and a bounce-back season was definitely on the cards. But now, this hip issue throws a wrench into those plans. The Lions kick off their season on September 13 against the New Orleans Saints, which gives LaPorta a little under a month to recover. Campbell’s lack of major concern is a good sign, meaning LaPorta *could* still suit up for Week 1, even if he’s not 100%. Still, you can bet the Lions will be monitoring that hip closely. Rushing him back for a long season would do more harm than good. They need him healthy, for real.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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