Lions TE was walking ‘like an 80-year-old’ before opting for season-ending surgery

ALLEN PARK -- Sam LaPorta spoke with reporters for the first time since undergoing season-ending back surgery, detailing the decision that ended his year. The Detroit Lions tight end last played in the Week 10 game against the Washington Commanders. LaPorta said his injury was an accumulation of falls and hits in the weeks leading up to his final appearance of the season. His disc fully herniated and slipped during the win over the Commanders, and then the numbness, tingling and muscle loss started creeping in. “Like when you can’t do a single leg calf raise, it’s kind of hard to play football,” LaPorta said during locker room cleanout day on Monday. “So, that was kind of where we were at....