The Detroit Lions are approaching a crucial Monday Night Football matchup against the 3-0 Seattle Seahawks. Seattle has given Detroit fits the last few times they have played, but each game was an exciting shootout. The Lions may have one of their young receivers back in action for Week 4 thanks to some positive injury news.

Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is back at practice on Friday, per Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press.

LaPorta suffered an ankle in injury on Jahmyr Gibbs' sensational hook-and-ladder touchdown in Week 3 against the Cardinals. His return to practice suggests that there is a chance he plays on Monday Night Football against the Seahawks.

LaPorta did not practice on Thursday. Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden said that LaPorta's status was left up to the team's doctors before practice.

“Really, that's up to the doctors,” Heiden said. “If he's good to go, (it's) ‘you're out there. Let's go.”

LaPorta has not looked like his rookie self in 2024. He suffered a hamstring injury during the preseason that lingered into the regular season. Now LaPorta has this ankle injury to work back from.

Through three games, LaPorta has logged eight catches for 94 yards and has not found the end zone.

Detroit has a bye in Week 5, so if there's a chance that LaPorta could miss Monday Night Football if he is not 100% healthy.

Lions dealing with several injuries heading into Week 4 against the Seahawks

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) runs for a first down against Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Sam LaPorta's injury is just the tip of the injury iceberg.

The Lions are dealing with several injuries that could have an impact in Week 4. Defensive lineman Marcus Davenport has already been ruled out for the season with an injury, and linebacker Derrick Barnes in on IR as well.

Center Frank Ragnow has already been ruled out for Week 4. Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu has not played at all in 2024 and missed practice again on Friday.

Then there are players who are simply banged up. Both Brian Branch and Alex Anzalone are dealing with concussions and will have to pass concussion protocols to play on Monday night. Anzalone missed Week 3 against the Cardinals because of his concussion.

Other Lions players on the injury report include Dan Skipper, Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Their opponent is also dealing with a laundry list of injuries. The Seahawks may be without rookie Byron Murphy II and a host of other players on both sides of the ball.

Both teams will not be at their best in terms of health in this matchup.