The Lions missed Sam LaPorta in their loss to the Eagles Sunday night -- and they might not have him the rest of the year.
"I’m hopeful," Dan Campbell said after the Lions' 16-9 loss in Philly, "but I really don’t know."
LaPorta was placed on injured reserve over the weekend with a back injury that he suffered in Detroit's Week 10 win over the Commanders, rendering him sidelined for at least four games. The earliest he could return is the Lions' Week 15 game against the NFC West-leading Rams.
Asked his level of concern about LaPorta after the Lions' loss Sunday night, Campbell said, "Obviously enough to where we’re talking about four weeks here."
"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," said Campbell.
Jared Goff and the Lions felt LaPorta's absence on a night they went 0-for-5 on fourth down and 3-for-13 on third against the Eagles' defense. LaPorta was second on the team to Amon-Ra St. Brown in targets, catches and receiving yards prior to his injury, one of Goff's favorite targets on key downs.
Brock Wright will be the Lions' No. 1 tight end in LaPorta's absence. Wright caught two passes on seven targets for eight yards against the Eagles.