Overview
- LaPorta underwent mid-November back surgery that ended his season after he was hurt in a Nov. 9 win over Washington.
- Campbell said he was never a candidate to return even with a playoff run, and the target is a training camp or early-season comeback.
- The coach reported the procedure relieved nerve stress and that LaPorta feels better and rehabs every day, though no exact diagnosis has been disclosed.
- Detroit’s offense dipped without him, falling from 31.4 points per game pre-injury to 25.6 after, with a 2-5 record in that span.
- Tight end depth remains thin with Brock Wright on IR, pushing snaps to Anthony Firkser, Shane Zylstra and Giovanni Ricci, while contract talks for the extension-eligible LaPorta may be timed cautiously.