Lions put Damone Clark on IR; Sam LaPorta returns to practice after hip issue
Detroit lost linebacker depth for the season and welcomed its tight end back to the field on the same Tuesday, though Trevor Nowaske left practice early with a knee injury.
The Lions officially placed veteran linebacker Damone Clark on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season before it started, while getting a welcome sight back on the practice field: tight end Sam LaPorta, participating in individual and team drills after missing roughly a week with a hip injury.
Dave Birkett (@davebirkett): The Lions placed LB Damone Clark on IR today, and more injury updates on Kerby Joseph and Thomas Harper https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2026/08/25/lions-injury-updates-kerby-joseph-damone-clark-thomas-harper/91458186007/ via @freep
Clark signed with Detroit as depth behind Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez, but an undisclosed training-camp injury ended his year. His absence was part of what prompted the Lions to bring in veteran Devin White earlier this month. In the corresponding move, Detroit signed center Gus Hartwig — a sensible addition with Cade Mays out with a wrist injury and backup Michael Niese having hurt his leg in Saturday's preseason game.
Dave Birkett (@davebirkett): And Sam LaPorta was back at Lions practice after sitting out the past week with a hip injury https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2026/08/25/sam-laporta-injury-update-lions-practice-trevor-nowaske-leaves-early/91462273007/ via @freep
LaPorta's return eases concern about one of Jared Goff's top targets. Coach Dan Campbell had acknowledged uncertainty over whether the hip issue would linger into the regular season, but LaPorta worked through drills without limitation on Tuesday. The 2026 season matters for the fourth-year tight end after a back injury limited him to 40 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns last year.
Not everything was positive at practice: linebacker Trevor Nowaske exited early with an apparent knee injury, and safety Thomas Harper is dealing with an ankle issue that could keep him out of the preseason finale against the Colts.