After Dan Campbell revealed that linebacker Damone Clark was out indefinitely earlier on Tuesday, the Detroit Lions saw two positive injury developments in the afternoon.
Star tight end Sam LaPorta and offensive lineman Ben Bartch both made their returns to training camp practice on Tuesday afternoon, per Detroit News' Richard Silva. LaPorta was sidelined most recently with a hip injury.
LaPorta took part in both the 7 on 7 and 11 on 11 reps throughout practice. 97.1 The Ticket's Will Burchfield noted that LaPorta caught a deep out route from Goff during the 7 on 7 portion and that it was a physical Lions practice. If LaPorta feels good tomorrow, that's a great sign for LaPorta's Week 1 availability.
Sam LaPorta caught a deep out route from Jared
Goff in 7 on 7s today. Took a bunch of 11 on 11 reps in a pretty physical practice. Looked healthy. Looked like LaPorta. Assuming he feels fine tmrw, I’d say concerns about Wk 1 can be put to rest.
— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) August 25, 2026
LaPorta, 25, was limited to just nine games played last season with a season-ending back injury that required surgery. The fourth-year pro caught 40 passes for 489 yards and three scores in 2025. LaPorta was fully cleared from his back surgery ahead of Lions training camp.
In his career thus far, LaPorta has registered 186 catches for 2,104 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Bartch was sidelined to start Lions camp as he continued to recover from a Lisfranc foot injury that he suffered last season. Then, Bartch entered concussion protocol as he battled with Christian Mahogany for the Lions' left guard job.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Pair of key Detroit Lions make training camp practice returns
