Lions' LaPorta undergoes surgery, likely done for the season; DJ Reed on track to be activated

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Allen Park — The Detroit Lions are bracing to be without Sam LaPorta the remainder of the season after coach Dan Campbell announced the third-year tight end required surgery on his injured back.

“Sam did have a procedure, and he’s going to be out for a while,” Campbell said. “I think we’d be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season at some point. Yeah, I think that’s very, very slim.”

The silver lining is that the procedure was a success and is expected to minimize the likelihood that the issue persists beyond this season.

LaPorta suffered the injury during the team’s Week 11 win over Washington. He missed the following week of practice and was officially moved to injured reserve that weekend. After last Sunday’s game, Campbell remained optimistic that the team would be able to get LaPorta back this season, potentially as soon as December.

However, the prognosis changed with more medical testing this week, leading to the procedure to correct the still-unidentified issue.

Through nine games, LaPorta was playing more than 90% of Detroit’s offensive snaps. He caught 40 of 49 passes his way for 489 yards and three touchdowns.

Without LaPorta against the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday, the Lions drastically shifted their personnel usage, leaning far more heavily on three-receiver packages. The strategy didn’t pan out, and the tight end’s absence was felt, particularly on third and fourth down, where the Lions went a combined 3-for-18.

Detroit’s third receivers, Kalif Raymond and Isaac TeSlaa, combined for one target and zero receptions in the contest, despite logging 58 snaps.

“It’s time for our guys, our younger guys, to start playing a more important role,” receivers coach Scottie Montgomery said Friday.

In regard to players the Lions could get back this week, Campbell said he anticipates activating cornerback DJ Reed for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Reed has missed the past six games with a severely strained hamstring.

“He looks good,” Campbell said. “He looks like he’s back off the injury, he’s running around well. …It’s been a minute, but yet, he’s played a lot of ball, too. So, it’s not going to take very long. It really is like riding a bike. Happy to see him out there and I know he’s ready to go.”

Reed should slide back into the starting lineup, alongside Amik Robertson, while Terrion Arnold remains in concussion protocol. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard also noted this week that he anticipates backup Rock Ya-Sin to continue seeing playing time.