Sam LaPorta was back at practice Tuesday, Aug. 25, less than a week after Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said he wasn't sure if the tight end's hip injury would linger into the regular season.
LaPorta took part in the Lions' two-hour padded practice Tuesday in Allen Park, going through position and team drills.
Campbell said last week LaPorta's hip "flared up a little bit" after he got hit in the team's intrasquad scrimmage Aug. 17.
"It’s a little aggravated," Campbell said at the time. "But we feel good long-term about him. We’re just resting for a little bit here and letting it calm down.”
LaPorta missed the second half of last season with a back injury that required surgery but was a regular participant in practices before his hip injury.
He
set an NFL rookie tight end record with 86 catches for 889 yards in 2023 and has seen his production slip the past two years. In 2024, LaPorta had 60 catches for 726 yards, and last year he had 40 catches for 489 yards in nine games.
LaPorta declined an interview request after practice Tuesday.
Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin and Jackson Meeks are the team's reserve tight ends.
Veteran guard Ben Bartch also returned to practice after missing last week with a brain injury. He took second-team reps at left guard.
Linebacker Trevor Nowaske left practice during position drills with what appeared to be a knee injury. Trainers spent several minutes looking at Nowaske's leg on the sideline before Nowaske walked inside the practice facility.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sam LaPorta (hip injury) returns to practice, giving Lions huge boost
