The Detroit Lions have been evasive when it comes to providing an exact timeline on a potential return for Sam LaPorta. This has led fans to wonder if the tight end is going to return at all due to the details around the injury being so unknown. Head coach Dan Campbell commented on the situation on Sunday night via Pride of Detroit and only added to the confusion, making comments that offered little clarity of direction.
"“Obviously, it’s enough to where we’re talking about four weeks here, So, obviously, we’re going to hope that this thing calms down. And after those four games, we can get him back, but we’re really just taking this day-to-day, week-to-week.”"Dan Campbell
When Campbell was asked about whether or not the pass catcher would return at all, the head coach only offered, “I’m hopeful, but I really don’t know.” At the earliest, it will be three more games before the tight end is even eligible to return from IR, having missed only one game so far since the move was made. However, there is simply zero clarity on what the injury is or whether or not the star is going to be able to return this season.
Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell Does Little to Clarify Sam LaPorta's Mysterious Injury Situation
Campbell first offered a very hopeful-sounding update, making it seem as if the Lions could get the tight end back when he is first able to come off IR. This was followed by putting LaPorta's status for the rest of the season in question. With this in mind, it appears that the Lions truly don't know the outlook of the injury or are unwilling to provide details at this time. Either way, it is a source of frustration for Detroit fans who simply want to understand what is going on with an important offensive star.
Already, the Lions have four losses on the season and trail both the Packers and Bears in the NFC North. Detroit is in a position to need all of the help it can get, and not knowing whether or not LaPorta is going to be a piece of this is frustrating for a fan base that needs reason to believe that this roster can still make a run.
Seeing how incapable the offense looked in Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles served as a reminder of how different the team has looked compared to a season ago. Losing LaPorta only exacerbates this, highlighting why Lions fans are so anxious to understand what the future holds for the star pass catcher.
Whether by choice or not, this isn't something that Campbell helped clarify, with it appearing that the Detroit fan base is going to remain in the dark about what things will be moving forward. Leaving no question that every injury update and coaching comment will be put under the microscope in hopes it signals LaPorta's return.