Detroit Lions: Ziggy Ansah questionable against Giants
Dealing with a knee injury, Detroit Lions’ defensive end and pass rusher Ziggy Ansah is officially questionable against the New York Giants on Monday night.
When the Detroit Lions‘ released their final injury report over the weekend, prior to their Week Two matchup against the New York Giants for a primetime matchup on Monday night, only four names appeared on it. But one of those players, defensive end Ziggy Ansah, could impact the outcome of the contest if sidelined.
Ansah, the Lions’ most dominate pass rusher, missed all of training camp and the preseason due to an undisclosed knee issue. Despite the injury, Ziggy played 34 defensive snaps in Detroit’s 35-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week One. That was approximately 45% of the Lions’ defensive snaps in that contest.
Undoubtedly, Detroit would love to steadily increase those snaps in Week Two against a Giants’ offensive line that was absolutely pummeled by the Dallas Cowboys’ defense in Week One, losing 19-3 in their regular season opener.
By all accounts, the Lions’ have a much better pass rush than Dallas. But Ansah being available to play is a big part of that. And on Detroit’s final injury report released on Saturday, the Lions’ primary pass rusher is officially listed as questionable for the Week Two matchup. Ansah was limited in practice all week.
But according to Lions’ insider Dave Birkett, the team expects the 28-year old to play on Monday night.
Lions list Ziggy Ansah as questionable for Monday night's game vs. the Giants. He's expected to play. No one else with a game designation.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 16, 2017
Having Ansah on the field against the Giants on Monday night is critical to Detroit’s pass rush. Last year’s sack leader, defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr., was lost due to a season-ending Achilles injury in the Lions’ first preseason game. Without Ansah in the lineup as well, Detroit’s front seven suddenly becomes much younger and far less experienced.
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If Ziggy Ansah does indeed play against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, expect a limited snap count as the Pro Bowl pass rusher slowly works his way back from his mysterious knee injury.