Sam LaPorta’s third NFL season was not short on impact, but it was short on time. In a year interrupted by injury and capped by back surgery, Detroit’s tight end delivered just enough brilliance to remind everyone why his ceiling remains so high.
Class is back in session, and the next report card belongs to one of Detroit’s most important offensive cornerstones. Entering his third NFL season, Sam LaPorta was expected to once again be a central figure in the Lions’ passing attack. While the talent and explosiveness were still evident, injuries ultimately shaped his year and limited his overall impact. Because of that, LaPorta earns a B-.
LaPorta appeared in just nine games before a lingering back injury required surgery and brought his season to an early end. Despite the limited availability, he remained productive and flashed his big-play ability when healthy enough to take the field. He finished the season with 40 receptions for 489 yards and three touchdowns, respectable numbers that came under difficult circumstances.
Before the injury became too much to manage, LaPorta showed he could still be a difference-maker in Detroit’s offense. He posted two games with at least 90 receiving yards and a touchdown, performances that highlighted his ability to stretch the field and punish defenses down the seam. Even while not operating at full strength, LaPorta remained capable of flipping games with a single play.
Explosive scoring defined his production. All three of LaPorta’s touchdown receptions went for 40 yards or more, placing him in rare franchise territory. He became the first Lions tight end to record three touchdown catches of 40-plus yards since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, a milestone that underscores his unique athletic profile at the position.
One of LaPorta’s most impressive stretches came within a single quarter. He became Detroit’s first tight end since at least 1991 to record three receptions, 65 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in one quarter. The sequence was a reminder of how dangerous Detroit’s offense can be when LaPorta is fully integrated and healthy.
Still, consistency was difficult to maintain. The back injury affected LaPorta’s snap count and limited his yards-after-catch ability, an area where he had previously excelled. Detroit adjusted his role, using him more selectively rather than as a weekly focal point. While his presence continued to draw defensive attention, the offense lacked the rhythm it often finds when LaPorta is at full strength.
Ultimately, the decision to proceed with back surgery prioritized long-term health over short-term production. For both LaPorta and the organization, protecting a core offensive piece outweighed pushing through an injury that could have led to more serious issues down the line.
When grading LaPorta’s third season, context matters. This was not a decline in skill or effort, but a campaign disrupted by injury. Given the limited games played, the production he managed before surgery and the impact he still provided, a B- is an appropriate reflection of his year.
Looking ahead, LaPorta’s outlook remains strong. With a full offseason to recover, he is expected to return as a key component of Detroit’s offense. If healthy, future report cards should once again reflect sustained excellence rather than perseverance through adversity.