NFL insider just dropped an extremely encouraging update on Lions tight end Sam LaPorta’s back
NFL insider Adam Schefter’s report on Sam LaPorta is extremely encouraging for the Detroit Lions, as momentum continues to build around their star tight end’s recovery heading into offseason work
One of the biggest concerns that Detroit Lions fans have had this offseason is with Sam LaPorta’s back. He’s one of the best tight ends in the league and a big part of Detroit’s offense. So naturally, getting him back is big.
The last we heard was when Lions GM Brad Holmes was on the Lions Collective podcast, previous to the annual league meetings in early April, when Holmes was asked if LaPorta and Brian Branch’s injuries would push their extensions off. He said he didn’t believe that would be a thing. That was sort of the first landmark to tell us both were trending in the right direction. Know we know this:
Adam Schefter is reporting the Lions are looking to get LaPorta’s extension done this offseason
That’s huge for the Lions. Let’s put it flat out: the Lions are not doing a major extension that could potentially be market-resetting for a player who is not going to be able to play. No team would be crazy to do that. It helps that they’ve been telling us since December that things have been going the right way.
“Yeah, he’s getting better. It wouldn’t have been one of those things where you get in the playoffs, did he have a chance to play. No, it wouldn’t be that. But I feel like next year, that certainly isn’t off the table early in the year.” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. “You’d like to believe training camp we’ll get him. But you’re talking about a back (injury). And he’s improving, but yet he’s not completely healed.”
Now we’re five months down the road, and there’s talk of an extension. One of the biggest landmarks to feel good about LaPorta potentially being ready for training camp is next week, when the Lions begin OTAs and have mandatory minicamp right behind it. If LaPorta is out there working, that’s about as good a sign as you can get right now.
Detroit Lions News