By Michael Stets
The Lions removed defensive end Ziggy Ansah from the physically unable to perform list, one of several roster moves the team made on Friday afternoon.
Ansah, the Lions’ best pass rusher, spent the entire training camp on the PUP list with an undisclosed injury. He will now be back in time for the start of the regular season, which begins on September 10 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Lions GM Bob Quinn told the media on Tuesday that he expected the fifth-year defensive end to be ready for Week 1. Ansah, who was hampered by a high-ankle sprain for most of the 2016 season, missed three game and finished the year with only two sacks. In 2015, he made the Pro Bowl after posting 14.5 sacks.
The Lions also removed backup tackle Corey Robinson from the PUP list. Robinson had been recovering from off-season foot surgery.
In addition to those two moves, the Lions cut veteran running back Matt Asiata, guard Connor Bozick, defensive end Giorgio Newberry, and injured players wide receiver Dez Stewart and cornerback Tramain Jacobs.
The NFL deadline for all teams to cut rosters down to 53-players is Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.