Lions Mailbag: Sam LaPorta Contract & Injury Prevention

Excellent questions and comments from readers

Training camp is starting up and often the biggest news to watch out for throughout camp is new injuries to key players. This late-July edition of the Lions Medical Mailbag focuses on Lions injury prevention strategy as well as Sam LaPorta’s long-term future with the team.

Sam LaPorta Contract Extension Considerations

Love this question from Andy as I find the strategy of contracts to be fascinating. Also, actions (i.e. contracts) always speak more truthfully than words from GM’s, players, coaches, etc.

LaPorta avoided the PUP list, which means he is cleared to participate in training camp. This isn’t a surprise. With his microdiscectomy in November, there was a good chance he was cleared for OTA a couple months ago and was just limited as a precaution.

His clearance doesn’t change the long-term durability concern for the spine. It’s not like an ACL or fractured bone that can heal up back to 100%. With a microdiscectomy, parts of the spine are removed to relieve pressure off the nerves. And the causative factors of the disc herniation problem - like playing a brutal contact sport - are going to still be present. A recurrence of symptoms is very possible if LaPorta continues to play football.

This long-term concern could impact game-to-game availability, in-game snap count percentage, performance, and duties as a tight end. If so, that impacts his value. That makes a top-of-the-market deal more risky from the team perspective.

If I’m running the Lions, I’d like a contract that provides protection in case of a recurrence, poor availability, or early retirement. This can be done by way of:

• fewer guarantees

• more production incentives

• less upfront money

Why would LaPorta agree to this type of team-friendly deal?

• The total potential value of the contract and yearly average might still be top-of-the-market - allowing for the corresponding celebratory agent tweet.

• The Lions have leverage, as the team has him under control for two more seasons because they can tag him after the 2026 season.

• LaPorta may agree that his future health is uncertain, and is happy to lock in some guarantees now.

Lions Injury Prevention Strategy

Agree with BigDahm that the Lions appear to have focused on injury prevention this offseason - by way of improving the youth and health of the roster, and by being cautious in OTA and minicamp. There was really only one significant injury this offseason - Kendrick Law’s ACL.

It will be interesting to see how the team handles training camp and preseason games.

• Will the Lions cut back on the “live” tackling during camp? I explored this idea in an earlier analysis: Detroit Lions training camp injuries: Is “live” tackling worth the risk?

• With no joint practices, will the Lions actually play starters in preseason? Given how woeful the offensive line performed in Week 1 last season vs the Packers, it’s possible we see some OL starters out there. Dan Campbell stated in his opening press conference that playing starters in preseason is on the table.

I agree that these kinds of effort plays are very frustrating. Fighting for that extra yard exposes players to big hits and twisting of limbs. That yard may cost a player multiple games, or even a season.

Your comment reminded me of these two examples from recent seasons…

November 9, 2025:

September 17, 2023:

Sam LaPorta was out for the year after his game, and David Montgomery missed the next game.

There are certainly benefits to fighting for extra yardage. But unless it’s a critical play, the Lions would be wise to remind players through video or drills to stop fighting for that extra yard after being wrapped up.