LaPorta Back on the Field
The Detroit Lions returned to the practice field on Tuesday at their Allen Park facility, and with them came a familiar face. Tight end Sam LaPorta, who had been sidelined since Aug. 17 after taking a hit to the hip during last Monday's night scrimmage, was back participating in practice. LaPorta was involved in everything during the padded session, including individual and full-team drills, according to M Live Michigan.
The return comes after a week of uncertainty. On Thursday, head coach Dan Campbell described the setback as a flare-up, saying the injury was "a little aggravated" but that the team feels "good long-term about him." He also expressed some uncertainty about whether it would linger into the regular season, responding "I don't know" when asked that question.
LaPorta's health is a significant storyline heading into the season, especially after his volatile 2025 campaign. He missed the final eight games of that season after suffering a herniated disc that required season-ending microdiscectomy surgery. He received medical clearance last month, following a rehabilitation process.
In the nine games he played last season, LaPorta posted 40 receptions for 489 yards and three touchdowns. His career totals now stand at 2,104 receiving yards on 186 catches with 20 touchdowns.
Three players exit early
While LaPorta's return was a positive sign, the practice wasn't all good news. Three Lions players — cornerback Nick White, safety Dan Jackson, and linebacker Trevor Nowaske — began practice but did not finish it, leaving the field early according to reports from both M Live Michigan and Sports Illustrated.
M Live Michigan provided a more detailed picture of the departures. Nowaske participated in early positional work but was then spotted getting checked by trainers on the sidebar. White, who M Live refers to as Nick Whiteside and notes is known as "Ironsides," spent most of the practice on the field and had a "knee" with trainers before leaving. Jackson went inside the facility early in the session.
Neither the team nor the reports specified the nature of their potential injuries. Sports Illustrated noted that the team did not update reporters on the reasons behind the trio's exits.
Injury list and roster decisions
The three early exits add to a long list of players not spotted at practice. Others absent included safety Christian Izien, running backs Isiah Pacheco (knee) and Jabari Small (concussion protocol), offensive linemen Michael Niese, Miles Frazier, and Cade Mays (wrist), linebacker Damone Clark and Jimmy Rolder (hamstring), safety Thomas Harper (ankle), and edge defender Payton Turner (back), as reported by M Live Michigan.
Coach Campbell provided specifics on a couple of these players. Damone Clark, the team said, is out indefinitely —"it's significant enough to where he'll (Clark) be out indefinitely," Campbell said, without offering further details. Thomas Harper, who is dealing with an ankle issue, is considered unlikely for the preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts, though Campbell left a small window open, saying "it's just how fast; could he be ready this weekend? I think it's more it's unlikely, but you never know."
One player whose presence was noted is offensive lineman Ben Bartch. Bartch is coming off a foot injury from last season and has been in the NFL's concussion protocol. Reports from both Sports Illustrated and M Live Michigan indicated he was spotted at practice—the latter placed him with the second-team offense at left guard.
Campbell's final-week balancing act
With preseason finale against the Colts on Saturday, Dan Campbell described the coaching staff's guiding principle for this final week of training camp. As Sports Illustrated reported, appeared to ready the team for the regular season while simultaneously evaluating players for the few remaining roster spots.
Campbell call the situation "tricky" and described the dual focus: getting the team prepared to play and being the best version of himself, while also filling out a roster that still has available positions. "We still have spots available on this roster that we're going to need to fill with guys that are here right now, that we think have motion, but we don't know who that is," Campbell said. He emphasized that those spots matter, and the players filling them could see significant time.
Campbell also stressed the importance of working on themselves: "We're not game-planning, but I just know we have to start working on us a little bit here to get ourselves sharpened up." He also mentioned getting the team ready for the New Orleans Saints.
Nick Whiteside, who played three snaps at safety in Saturday's preseason win, is one player being evaluated. Campbell said the team might explore Whiteside in the slot as they decide who makes the final cut.
Campbell is next scheduled to speak to reporters on Wednesday afternoon.