Who Should I Start? Sam LaPorta or Tucker Kraft

Wednesday, December 31, 4:24 PM

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that he hopes tight end Sam LaPorta (back) will be ready by training camp next summer, according to Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News. LaPorta wouldn't have been able to return for the playoffs if the Lions had made it, with Campbell adding, "he's improving, but yet he's not completely healed." The 24-year-old tight end underwent surgery after injuring his back in Detroit's Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders. The Iowa product was in the midst of another great season before going down, hauling in 40 of his 49 targets for 489 yards and three touchdowns. LaPorta should be close to fully recovered by training camp and will again profile as a borderline top-five tight end option in fantasy football for 2026.

Monday, November 3, 12:07 PM

Tests on Monday confirmed that Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee in Sunday's Week 9 loss to the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. It's a massive blow to the Packers and fantasy managers, as Kraft was in the midst of a breakout campaign in 2025. The 25-year-old former third-round pick will now finish his third year in the NFL with 32 catches on 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games played. Kraft was coming off a massive seven-catch, 143-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Week 8 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Kraft now done for the year, Luke Musgrave becomes a waiver-wire target for fantasy managers in need of help at the TE position. Receivers Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Matthew Golden should also see more targets in the passing game going forward.