ALLEN PARK -- Tuesday is usually a rest day for the Detroit Lions, but they convened at team headquarters today for a light workout to begin preparations for the Thanksgiving game against Minnesota.

And it seems they could get some help for their defensive line.

Ezekiel Ansah returned to practice after taking two weeks off to tend to a back injury. He was limited by a knee injury before that, has not practiced fully all season and has recorded a sack in just two of the Lions' 10 games this season. And the Lions have felt it.

Their pass rush has fallen to 20th in sacks, and was led last week by rookie corner Teez Tabor (two pressures).

And against the run, they allowed more than 200 yards for the second straight week. While Ansah might not be his old self, he has been fine this year at setting the edge, and Detroit has struggled to do that without him.

Meanwhile, Minnesota has a top-10 rushing offense and has allowed just one sack in five weeks.

Rookie return man Jamal Agnew and running back Dwayne Washington were the only Lions players to sit out the practice. Agnew is nursing a knee injury that he suffered while covering a punt against Chicago. He said he believes the injury is minor, but the short week doesn't work in his favor to see the field against Minnesota.

Ameer Abdullah replaced Agnew on kick return against the Bears, while TJ Jones and Golden Tate are the leading contenders to replace him on punt return.