Lions activate DE Ziggy Ansah off PUP list

Justin Rogers | The Detroit News

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions announced defensive end Ziggy Ansah has been activated off the physically unable to perform list, prior to Monday's practice.

Ansah had been out with an unknown injury, which also limited him throughout the early portion of the offseason program. The 29-year-old edge rusher has battled durability issues the past two seasons, dealing with ankle, knee, back and shoulder issues.

"I feel pretty good," Ansah said after practice. "This is my first day practicing with the team and I'm pretty tired. It feels pretty good to be out here."

He was limited to individual drills during the session and said it would be up to the coaches how much he participates in the joint practices with the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A first-round draft pick in 2013, Ansah fell a half-sack shy of matching Robert Porcher's single-season franchise sack record of 15 in 2015. The past two seasons, the injuries have limited his effectiveness.

A late-season surge, which included three sacks in each of the team’s final two games, buoyed his stat line last year, helping him to finish with 12 sacks.

Ansah is set to play the 2018 season on the franchise tag, a one-year contract that will pay him $17.1 million. Monday marked the first time he talked to the media since the deadline passed to work out a long-term extension with the team.

"I'm just excited that I get to play here again, in Detroit, for this year," Ansah said. "The future will take care of itself."

Following last week's activation of defensive end Cornelius Washington and linebacker Devon Kennard off the non-football injury list, the Lions should have their full array of pass rushers on the practice field for the first time this training camp.

Only wide receiver Andy Jones remains on the physically unable to perform list.

Practice participation

In addition to Ansah's return, the Lions also got defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson and guard T.J. Lang back for Monday's practice.

Running back Theo Riddick headlined the group that sat out. Also sidelined were defensive end Cam Johnson, linebacker Chad Meredith and safety Stefan McClure.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

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