Sam LaPorta opened the 2026 season with five receptions for 48 yards in the Lions’ Week 1 overtime win over the Saints, finishing second on the team in receiving yards after recovering from 2025 back surgery and a training-camp hip issue that limited his offseason work. The 25-year-old tight end enters his contract year fully cleared and in a high-volume Detroit offense under new coordinator Drew Petzing, where he has historically commanded consistent targets as a reliable option for Jared Goff alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs. Durability over 17 games remains the central variable, given prior injury history and the upcoming schedule that includes a Week 2 road matchup against a strong Buffalo pass defense. Full participation and target share in this pass-heavy attack will largely determine whether he approaches or exceeds prior per-game paces.