Tight end may be the least medically-concerning position on the team. Last season, the Lions kept three TE’s on the initial 53-man roster (Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Parker Hesse).
Here is the list of TE’s starting with the players with the biggest medical question marks entering the season. Ages are at the start of the season.
#1: Kenny Yeboah – 26yo
Last season with the Jets, he only played nine games due to a possible core muscle injury. In previous seasons, he’s had hamstring and calf issues.
He was limited at June OTA which raises eyebrows as core muscle injuries sometimes end up needing surgery. In good news, Yeboah was not placed on PUP at the start of camp which means he’s healthy.
Projection: There is a chance he starts on PUP if there’s a disturbance in his health this offseason. If he stays off PUP, he has a good chance to make 53-man roster, as the Lions gave him $482k in guaranteed money for this year.
#2: Sam LaPorta – 24yo
LaPorta recently revealed that he had ankle surgery in the 2024 offseason. The 2025 offseason has been better as he got married and was blessed by the new Pope.
Medically, the 2025 offseason has been surgery-free despite some minor injuries over the course of last season. He had a hamstring in camp, a right low ankle sprain in Week 3, and a left AC joint in Week 10. The AC cost him his only missed game of the season.
Projection: LaPorta hits the ground running and solidifies himself as an elite TE.
#3: Brock Wright – 26yo
Last year was a fully healthy one for Wright with no missed games. The year prior, he had a forearm fracture and a hip injury which don’t seem to be a concern now.
Projection: Wright has been a solid player for the Lions the past four years and continues to be that.
#4: Shane Zylstra – 28yo
Zylstra had a possible neck issue last season which ended up being nothing serious.
Otherwise, he was healthy throughout the year. He does have a history of an MCL sprain and patella fracture, but those aren’t concerns now.
Projection: If it comes down to Yeboah vs Zylstra for the third spot, Zylstra may lose out due to the lack of guarantees in his contract.
#5: Zach Horton – 22yo
Horton is an undrafted rookie from Indiana who started every game in his final college season.
Projection: Practice squad would be an excellent outcome.
#6: Luke Deal – 24yo
Deal is an undrafted rookie who was reliable throughout his Auburn college career.
Projection: Maybe Deal can surprise and earn himself a roster spot.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions training camp medical preview: Tight ends
Reporting by Jimmy Liao, MD, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
