Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta underwent a surgical procedure on his back and is unlikely to return this season, head coach Dan Campbell announced Friday.

LaPorta missed three days of practice last week due to a back injury and did not play in Detroit's 16-9 loss Sunday to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was placed on injured reserve, a guarantee of missing at least four weeks.

That was wishful thinking, apparently.

"He did have a procedure, and he's gonna be out for a while. A while," Campbell said. "I think we would be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season at some point. I think that's very, very slim.

"The good news is the procedure went really well (for the) long term."

LaPorta, 24, is a key part of the offense for the Lions (6-4). A second-team Al

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