TE · DET · 25 yrs · exp 3 · Iowa
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Latest: Sep 7, 2026 · 4,968
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
Lions GM Brad Holmes confirms intent to keep key draft‑class players—Branch, LaPorta, Campbell, Gibbs—in Detroit, with extensions already signed for Campbell and Gibbs
Sam LaPorta and Ben Bartch returned to practice, while Trevor Nowaske exited with a knee injury
Sam LaPorta was back on the field at practice on Tuesday, a positive sign for the Lions' offense
Sam LaPorta practiced for the first time since his hip injury
Breakdown of fantasy relevant happenings from around the NFL
Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is dealing with a hip injury and his Week 1 availability is uncertain. The team has provided updates on his status
Lions tight end Sam LaPorta dealing with hip injury, but expected to be back for Week 1. Also, guard Ben Bartch in concussion protocol
Sam LaPorta injury update: Lions unsure if TE will miss start to season
Jameson Williams returned to practice for the Lions, while Sam LaPorta was absent. This suggests a potential shift in offensive availability for the team
The Lions got wide receiver Jameson Williams back on the practice field today, but they didn’t have their whole first-string offense. Lions tight end Sam LaPorta did not practice for reasons that currently aren’t known, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press . LaPorta is coming off back surgery and the best-case scenario for the Lions would be that they just decided to give him the day off to make sure he’s healthy and fresh for the start of the regular season. Williams had missed the last two days of practice with a shoulder injury, but now he’s good to go. Most of the Lions’ starters missed last week’s preseason opener. Lions head coach Dan Campbell has said many starters will play in Sunday’s second preseason game against the Commanders, but there’s no word on whether Williams and LaPorta will go
Jameson Williams returned to Detroit Lions training camp after a brief absence, while Sam LaPorta was sidelined
13 Detroit Lions players stood out on Day 14 of training camp
Checking in on every Detroit Lions player’s stock after their first 2026 preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals
After a slow start to Detroit Lions training camp, Sam LaPorta is starting to look like himself again
After a strong rookie season in 2023, Lions tight end Sam LaPorta's production has declined each year, and last year his season was cut short by a back injury that required surgery
After a strong rookie season in 2023, Lions tight end Sam LaPorta’s production has declined each year, and last year his season was cut short by a back injury that required surgery. But Lions quarterback Jared Goff thinks LaPorta is ready to bounce back this season. Asked at training camp on Monday what it’s been like to have LaPorta back in the mix, Goff gushed about how impressive LaPorta has been and how much he wants to make LaPorta a major focal point of the offense. “He’s a stud. He had a good play down the field today on third down. He’s a stud. He’s the same guy every day and keeps getting better, as they all do. We’ve got to find ways to get him the ball,” Goff said. In addition to LaPorta, the Lions have a wide receiver group that coach Dan Campbell said today is the best he’s had in Detroit. And the Lions just made Jahmyr Gibbs the highest-paid running back in the NFL. Goff won’t be hurting for offensive playmakers to get the ball to this season
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) is dealing with a sprained MCL, but head coach Dan Campbell told the media that the team still feels good about his Week 1 availability, according to beat writer Nolan Bianchi. Pacheco signed a one-year deal in the offseason but having now missed a string of training camp practices, the Lions have leaned on third-year back Sione Vaki to handle an expanded workload as three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs ramps back up from an early training camp hold-in that resulted in him becoming the league's highest paid running back. After splitting the backfield with David Montgomery for his first three seasons, Gibbs is expected to handle close to a bell cow role in 2026, limiting Pacheco's standalone value but making him one of fantasy's most important handcuff backs and a player who can generally be found in the closing rounds of drafts as RotoBaller's RB44
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland is poised for a significant second season in 2026. After a strong finish in 2025, where he averaged nearly 5 receptions and 53 yards per game post-Week 9 and became the team's starter, Loveland is expected to see an increased role. With D.J. Moore's departure, Loveland could command a 25% target share in an offense that historically favors tight ends. Despite a high ranking (TE3), he has the potential to become the top fantasy tight end if his connection with Caleb Williams develops
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is in line for a solid 2026 season. Andrews had a down 2025 season, with 48 receptions for 470 yards and six touchdowns, finishing as the TE16 in half-PPR formats. That was with Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar still firmly in the mix, and star quarterback Lamar Jackson missing several games. Now, the Ravens hired Declan Doyle as the new offensive coordinator in 2026. Doyle came from the Chicago Bears in 2025 and has been under Broncos head coach Sean Payton for most of his coaching career. Both Payton's and Ben Johnson's offenses favor tight ends, with players like Sam LaPorta, Colston Loveland, and Saints tight end Jimmy Graham when Payton coached in New Orleans. There's a strong chance Andrews is the second option in the receiving game behind Zay Flowers, with a great quarterback supplying him as well. Ranked TE9 and 104 in RotoBaller's rankings, Andrews could be a great value this season
Breaking down nine Detroit Lions players who stood out on Day 4 of training camp
Data comes from cached Sleeper and KTC snapshots. Values update when the sync jobs run.
