Sam LaPorta has posted 316 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 27 catches through five 2026 games, with his two highest outputs (84 and 88 yards) coming in consecutive Weeks 4-5 appearances against Carolina and Arizona. Fully recovered from 2025 back surgery that limited him to nine games, the Lions tight end has operated at a high snap count in Detroit’s potent passing game alongside Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Extension talks with the team have stalled, leaving him headed for unrestricted free agency after the season and adding motivation in a contract year. Following the Week 6 bye, his usage against Green Bay and the remainder of a favorable schedule will shape whether he sustains the recent per-game average near 63 yards.