LaPorta said Monday that he will enter the next phase of his rehab from back surgery this week and anticipates being fully cleared in advance of training camp, Richard Silva of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old tight end ended up missing the Lions' final eight games of the season after he suffered a herniated disk in a Nov. 9 win over the Commanders. LaPorta said that he was initially hopeful to avoid a stint on injured reserve and return to action in 2-to-3 weeks after suffering the injury, but after further deliberation, he and the Lions decided that opting for surgery was the best long-term course of action. Six weeks removed from his procedure, LaPorta appears to be progressing as anticipated, and while he may not be ready to take contact in OTAs this spring, he expressed optimism that he'll be able to be "up, running around" during those workouts. LaPorta will be eligible for an extension when the new league year begins in March, and retaining the tight end on a long-term deal will likely be a priority for Detroit after he averaged 4.4 receptions and 50.1 receiving yards per game while scoring 20 total touchdowns in 42 appearances through his first three NFL seasons.

Coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that LaPorta is "improving," but "he's not completely healed" from the back injury that forced him to injured reserve Nov. 15, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

In the wake of LaPorta undergoing back surgery in mid-November, Campbell described the tight end's chances to return this season as "very, very slim," per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. As of this week with the Lions out of playoff contention, though, Campbell relayed that the team is hopeful LaPorta will be back by training camp in the summer, indicating his health concern was more serious than Detroit initially indicated. LaPorta, a 2023 second-round pick, will be entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract in 2026.

LaPorta (back) has undergone surgery, and head coach Dan Campbell described LaPorta's chances of returning this season as "very, very slim" Friday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

LaPorta was placed on injured reserve Nov. 15. His earliest possible return date is Dec. 14, but Campbell's update suggests LaPorta will be out well beyond that point, most likely missing the remainder of the season. Campbell didn't completely shut the door on LaPorta returning, so the star tight end might make it back if the Lions put together a deep playoff run. Brock Wright and Ross Dwelley are the two remaining healthy options at the position on the active roster.

The Lions placed LaPorta (back) on injured reserve Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

LaPorta thus will miss at least the next four games due to the back injury that didn't allow him to practice this week before Detroit ruled him out for Week 11 action Friday. His next chance to play will be Sunday, Dec. 14 at the Rams. In the meantime, Brock Wright (ankle) and Ross Dwelley will handle TE duties for the Lions.

LaPorta (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

LaPorta handled his normal workload in last week's 44-22 win at Washington, but he didn't practice at all this week. No. 2 tight end Brock Wright (ankle) is listed as questionable, though Lions head coach Dan Campbell said earlier Friday that his trust in Wright is "sky high," per Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site. If not Wright, the Lions will turn to veteran Ross Dwelley, who has 45 career receptions and 17 NFL starts to his name.

LaPorta (back) isn't expected to practice Friday, Ben Raven of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

LaPorta hasn't practiced at all this week, which led reporters to ask Lions coach Dan Campbell on Friday about his trust in backup tight end Brock Wright. Campbell responded, "Sky high," but he didn't shut the door on the possibility of LaPorta playing Sunday against the Eagles. It remains to be seen how the Lions list LaPorta on their final injury report Friday afternoon.

LaPorta (back) didn't practice Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

LaPorta has yet to mix into any drills this week due to a back injury, leaving him just one more chance to do so Friday before the Lions potentially make a ruling on his status for Sunday's game at Philadelphia. Fellow TE Brock Wright (ankle) upgraded from no activity Wednesday to limited Thursday, while Ross Dwelley, the only other player at the position on the active roster, has avoided the Lions' Week 11 injury report entirely.

LaPorta was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to a back injury.

EDGE Analysis

Most Lions skill-position players take a back seat to RB Jahmyr Gibbs and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown in the pecking order for touches, but LaPorta still has put together a respectable 40-489-3 line on 49 targets through nine games this season. LaPorta will have two more opportunities to practice during Week 11 prep, but if he isn't able to participate Thursday or Friday, he could be at risk of missing his first contest of the campaign and second game overall in his two-plus years as a pro.

LaPorta recorded five receptions on five targets for 53 yards in Sunday's 44-22 win over the Commanders.

EDGE Analysis

LaPorta finished third on the team in targets behind both Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, though he still managed to record at least five catches for the fourth time in his last five games. LaPorta logged a pair of 14-yard catches to account for most of his production, and he's now topped 50 receiving yards four times in the same five-game span. He'll remain a consistent part of the Detroit offense, but his upside will be limited on many occasions by St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs.

LaPorta brought in six of eight targets for 97 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 27-24 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

LaPorta tied for the team lead in receiving yards with a total that was also a season-high figure, and he checked in second in both receptions and targets. The talented tight end also rang up his third touchdown of the season -- all which have come within the last four games -- on a 40-yard grab to close out the opening possession of the contest. LaPorta has a solid 35-436-3 receiving line and at least five catches in three of the past four games heading into a Week 10 road matchup against the Commanders.