Sam LaPorta's injury is a minor setback for Detroit, but it carries fantasy relevance as camp news trickles out ahead of Week 1. LaPorta exploded as a rookie in 2023 with 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, then posted 60 for 726 and seven scores in Year 2. The Lions say the issue isn’t major and he’ll miss only a few days, yet the absence could nudge target shares and red-zone opportunities for Detroit’s other pass-catchers. If LaPorta is sidelined into early September, Brock Wright would likely absorb more looks and James Mitchell could see increased situational snaps, tempering LaPorta’s ceiling in the near term.

Detroit’s offense is anchored by LaPorta’s versatility, and Week 1 against Green Bay looms as a proving ground for the unit’s continuity. The Dolphins game this weekend in preseason provides a live-testing ground for backup roles. Fantasy managers should monitor practice reports for a timeline on LaPorta’s return and be prepared to pivot toward Wright or Mitchell if the rookie misses time. Contingency planning and favorable early matchups could soften the impact, but the situation adds a wrinkle to Lions projections early in the season.