When Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta was placed on injured reserve with a back injury, fans feared the worst. The injury was somewhat unknown, as the star pass catcher mysteriously recorded a season-low snap count in Week 10. Apparently, the issue was even worse than initially expected.
Head coach Dan Campbell told the media on Friday that LaPorta has had surgery on his back. Per Lions reporter Dave Birkett, Campbell said that the chances of the tight end returning to action this season are "very, very slim."
The news comes as a crucial blow to a Lions team that is in the middle of a push to reclaim the top spot in the NFC North.