Detroit Lions trying to find the right answers with stud TE on injured reserve br br ALLEN PARK -- Sam LaPorta is one of those irreplaceable types of players for the Detroit Lions. br br He’s a lethal pass-catcher over the middle and has the type of skillset that pairs well with Jared Goff’s. The br br Lions have a ton of confidence in Brock Wright’s ability to step into the TE1 role. But Wright isn’t the type of br br dynamic receiving option that LaPorta is. br br When offensive coordinator John Morton was asked when the Lions miss LaPorta the most, he said: br br “All the time.” br br LaPorta posted 40 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns in nine games. He’s since been placed on injured br br reserve with a back injury, and while the Lions are hopeful he’ll return this season, they just aren’t sure. And br br that’s another issue to account for on offense.