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Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, shown blasting Bears RB Matt Forte, continues to miss practice and his status for Sunday's game in Chicago is in jeopardy.

(Melanie Maxwell | MLive.com)

ALLEN PARK -- Another week, another slew of defensive firepower sitting out practice for the Detroit Lions.

The team was without Ezekiel Ansah and DeAndre Levy on Wednesday as they began preparations for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears.

Levy has not been seen by reporters at practice since he suffered a quad injury in the opener against Indianapolis. And Ansah hasn't been around since suffering a high ankle sprain on the first series of the home opener against Tennessee.

Detroit does not expect Ansah to be ready to face the Bears, according to ESPN. Coach Jim Caldwell has declined to comment on the report.

The Lions struggled without those guys in Sunday's 34-27 loss against Green Bay -- a game in which they fell behind 31-3 and didn't force a punt until the fourth quarter.

Detroit also practiced without tight end Eric Ebron, linebacker Antwione Williams and defensive end Wallace Gilberry.

Ebron was at practice and seen walking around, catching the football and even throwing it. It seems he either has a minor injury, or is just getting a maintenance day after dealing with a back injury last week.