Why isn’t Sam Laporta playing for the Lions against the Eagles in Week 11? Detroit TE injury report

The Detroit Lions remain one of the NFC’s top contenders in the 2025 NFL season, but they’ll have to navigate their upcoming games without tight end Sam LaPorta.

LaPorta has been placed on injured reserve (IR) due to a back injury.

That means he’s certain to miss Detroit’s next four matchups: against the Philadelphia Eagles today, followed by the Lions’ games against the New York Giants (Nov. 23), Green Bay Packers (Nov. 27), and Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 4).

When could Laporta return?

The former Iowa Hawkeye will be eligible to come off IR in Week 15, when Detroit visits the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 14.

LaPorta has been a key weapon in the Lions’ passing attack, ranking as the team’s second-leading receiver. He’s hauled in 40 of 49 targets from quarterback Jared Goff for 489 yards and three touchdowns. What makes him so valuable is his ability to move the chains - 23 of his receptions have gone for first downs.

Who can replace LaPorta for the Lions?

With LaPorta sidelined, Lions head coach Dan Campbell can turn to Brock Wright and Ross Dwelley to fill the void.

Wright has caught nine passes for 71 yards and a touchdown as the primary backup. Dwelley, meanwhile, has been used almost exclusively as a blocker, seeing 50 snaps but only one target in the passing game.

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