Lions defensive lineman Ziggy Ansah is expected to be available for Week 1 despite spending the entire offseason on the physically unable to perform list, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com.
Ansah’s current ankle injury is especially concerning given that the 28-year-old missed three games in 2016 with ankle and shoulder issues. Additionally, Detroit can’t afford to lose any more front seven pieces, as Kerry Hyder, Brandon Copeland, and Jordan Hill are already out for the season with injuries. Defensive lineman Khyri Thornton and Armonty Bryant will also miss time, albeit due to suspension and not health questions.
The Lions ranked just 25th in adjusted sack rate a season ago, and Ansah’s struggles were a large factor in that finish. After posting 14.5 sacks in 2015, Ansah registered just two quarterback takedowns last year and posted his worst Pro Football Focus grade since 2013 (No. 48 edge rusher among 110 qualifiers). While sacks aren’t always indicative of a pass-rusher’s effectiveness, Ansah also ranked just 71st among NFL defenders with 20 pressures.
Ansah will $12.724MM in 2017 under the terms of his fifth-year option, but Detroit has interest in signing him to a long-term extension. Of course, after inking quarterback Matthew Stafford through the 2022 campaign, the Lions can use a 2018 franchise tag as leverage over Ansah during negotiations, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press details. That tender will likely be worth north of $17MM next season.