By Michael Stets
The Detroit Lions received more bad news on the injury front after the veterans reported for the start of training camp on Saturday morning.
Defensive end Ziggy Ansah, the team’s best pass rusher, was placed on the Active/physically unable to perform list (PUP), along with guard Brandon Thomas. Ansah missed three games in 2016 with a high-ankle sprain and played hurt most of the season after returning to action. The team also placed tackle Greg Robinson and defensive end Cornelius Washington on the non-football injury list (NFI).
While Ansah being placed on the PUP list may seem like cause for alarm among Lions fans, it’s important to note that the active/PUP list means a player can return to practice once he is medically cleared to do so. If a player is placed on PUP list to start the regular season–like injured left tackle Taylor Decker is–he then misses the first six games of the year.
The team did receive some good news, though, cornerback Teez Tabor and tackle Cyrus Kouandjio were both removed from the NFI list after being placed on it earlier in the the week.
With Robinson–who the Lions traded a 2016 sixth-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for–now on the shelf, it appears Kouandjio will now be first in line for the vacant spot at left tackle, with fellow backups Cornelius Lucas and Tony Hills also receiving reps.
As for defensive end, where the team is also missing Armonty Bryant (PUP), who will also serve a four-game suspension to start the season for violating the NFL policy on substances of abuse, look for backups Anthony Zettel and Brandon Copeland to receive reps opposite starter Kerry Hyder.
The Lions’ first training camp practice will take place on Sunday afternoon.