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Is Sam LaPorta out for the season? When is Sam LaPorta coming back? The latest Sam LaPorta injury update and fantasy football outlook heading into Week 15 of 2025.
The Detroit Lions have gone 2-2 without tight end Sam LaPorta in the lineup the past four games.
The 24-year-old tight end was one of Detroit's key pass catchers, and he hasn't been easy to replace. In his absence, fantasy managers have not had a productive Lions tight end to rely on.
Can fantasy managers expect LaPorta to be back for the fantasy playoffs? Let's dive in.
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Is Sam LaPorta Out for the 2025 Season?
LaPorta has been absent since Week 11 with a back injury. Since he was placed on the injured reserve, he had to miss at least four games. That means LaPorta is technically eligible to return in Week 15 against the NFC-leading Los Angeles Rams. Now it all depends on whether the third-year tight end is physically ready.
Given the severity of the injury and the fact that LaPorta has not yet been designated to return, it is highly unlikely that he'll be on the field in Week 15. In fact, there's a good chance LaPorta might be done for the season.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said, "I think we would be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season. I think that's very, very slim." The bad news comes from a November 21 article reported by ESPN's Eric Woodyard.
Dynasty managers rostering LaPorta should feel good, however that "the procedure went really well long-term."
Sam LaPorta 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook
LaPorta is a drop candidate in redraft fantasy football. He is most likely out for the rest of the season, so he can't help you in 2025. With the playoffs getting underway in most fantasy leagues next week, you can't afford to have him clogging a roster spot.
In dynasty leagues, LaPorta is a borderline top-tier tight end heading into the future. His surgery reportedly went well, and players have recovered from it and gone on to have productive careers in the past.
Rob Gronkowski had back surgery on his disks in 2013 and 2016. Both times, he followed up his injury-shortened seasons with 1,000-yard seasons.
LaPorta's dynasty fantasy value was already trending towards a slight decline because of his continued inability to match the numbers he put up his rookie season. He likely will not come close for the foreseeable future, as the Lions have a lot of mouths to feed. This past summer, KeepTradeCut users rated LaPorta as the TE3, but now he's down to TE6, as he's been surpassed by rookies Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland.
As far as redraft goes, the Lions have no viable tight ends, but the value of receivers Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Isaac TeSlaa has increased for the remainder of the season.
Without LaPorta and Brock White (neck injury), the Lions have not had much offensive production from their tight ends. Anthony Firkser and Ross Dwelley were both targeted only once each in the Lions' Week 14 win over the Dallas Cowboys and both gained fewer than ten yards.
In the past two games, receivers Jameson Williams and Isaac TeSlaa have had solid fantasy production. Williams has made 14 catches for 240 yards and a touchdown, while TeSlaa has had two straight games with two catches and a touchdown each.
Jamo with the third down conversion and gain of 29!#ProBowlVote | Jameson Williams pic.twitter.com/fC2ZEJA7jY
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 5, 2025
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Popular Week 15 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 8 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Christian Watson, Kyle Monangai, Luther Burden III, Harold Fannin Jr., Chris Rodriguez Jr., Coltston Loveland, Jameson Williams compared to others:
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