​In the 2023 season, the Detroit Lions staged an extraordinary march to the NFC Championship Game. Let’s revisit that memorable campaign through the lens of the Top 10 Injury News, enhanced with present-day updates. Here are entries two and three. For the complete list, check out 2023 Revisited: Lions Top 10 Injury News with Present Updates.
January 7, 2024: The rookie tight end who emerged as a sensation had Lions fans collectively holding their breath when his left knee buckled in the regular-season finale. In a remarkable twist of fate, Sam LaPorta did not miss a single game and went on to participate in all three of the Lions’ postseason contests that year. Where are they now: LaPorta’s knees have remained sound since that game, but he is currently navigating a recovery from a herniated disc injury as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
A central reason for Detroit’s success in 2023 was its exceptional health and durability. The team endured just a handful of lengthy, season-altering injuries: CJ Gardner-Johnson suffered a pectoral tear, a setback that did not derail the defense for long, thanks to depth and resilience. The 2023 rookie class—Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch—also benefited from staying healthy and consistently available throughout the season, a testament to the organization’s medical staff, conditioning programs, and prudent load management.
Where are they now: After enjoying a remarkably healthy 2023 campaign, the Lions faced a tougher stretch in 2024 and 2025, with a higher incidence of injuries that altered the trajectory of the team’s depth chart and performance. The difference between a great year and a remarkable one often hinges on durability, and in 2023 Detroit rode a robust injury picture to its best finish in years.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X at @TheLionsWire and like our Facebook page. You can also follow Jimmy on X at @JimmyLiaoMD for ongoing updates. This article originally appeared on Lions Wire as part of the 2023 Throwback: Lions Top 10 Injury News—Sam LaPorta + Team Health, crafted to boost SEO while offering fans a detailed look at the season’s medical narratives.