Allen Park — Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta had a procedure done on his injured back and the team “would be fortunate” for him to return at any point this season, head coach Dan Campbell said Friday.
LaPorta, who was placed on injured reserve Nov. 15, is Detroit’s third-leading receiver this season, behind Amon-Ra St. Brown (735 yards) and Jameson Williams (562). The third-year pro has caught 40 of his 49 targets for 489 yards and three touchdowns.
“The good news is the procedure went really well, long term,” Campbell said.
The Lions, playing without LaPorta against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, leaned more on 11 personnel, with a third receiver (Kalif Raymond or Isaac TeSlaa) on the field instead of a second tight end. Other TEs on the Lions’ active roster include Brock Wright and Ross Dwelley. Zach Horton and Anthony Firkser are on the practice squad.
Undrafted rookie Jackson Meeks, another member of the practice squad, has been getting in some work as a tight end. Meeks (6-foot-2, 218 pounds) played wide receiver in college.
Joseph, Arnold out vs. Giants
Defensive backs Kerby Joseph (knee) and Terrion Arnold (concussion), along with offensive lineman Miles Frazier (knee) and defensive linemen Marcus Davenport (shoulder) and Josh Paschal (back), have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.
“Doing better,” Campbell said, when asked about Joseph, who hasn’t played since Week 6. “Doing a lot better. Progressing.”
The Lions tabbed eight players as questionable for Sunday: Offensive linemen Penei Sewell (ankle), Taylor Decker (shoulder), Graham Glasgow (knee) and Tate Ratledge (knee), cornerbacks D.J. Reed (hamstring) and Khalil Dorsey (wrist), wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (oblique) and running back Sione Vaki (ankle).
Reed feeling ‘gratitude’
On track to play for the first time in nearly two months — Campbell said he felt “pretty good” about Reed’s chances of being activated from injured reserve before the Giants game — Reed was all smiles Friday.
“The word is gratitude,” Reed said. “Just happy to be back out there with my teammates. I’m looking forward to contributing and just getting my rhythm back. … (I) want to go out there and dominate and get the win.”
Reed was playing well before injuring his hamstring, allowing a combined four receptions for 55 yards in wins over Baltimore Ravens (Week 3) and Cleveland Browns (Week 4). His play was especially impressive versus Baltimore, as he limited Zay Flowers to one catch.
“I definitely feel like I was getting into my bag,” Reed said. “I’m gonna have to get it back.”
Asked if he can handle playing a full game’s worth of snaps, Reed said, “We’re going to see. … If I have to play the whole game, I feel like I’m healthy enough to do that.”
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
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