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Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah will miss Sunday's game against the Bears.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions defense has struggled without DeAndre Levy and Ezekiel Ansah, and reinforcements won't be on the way any time soon.

Detroit has already ruled out the club's top linebacker and defensive lineman for Sunday's NFC North tilt against the Chicago Bears.

The Lions also listed receiver Marvin Jones as questionable with a hamstring injury, along with seven other players: Tight end Eric Ebron (ankle), right tackle Riley Reiff (ankle), defensive end Devin Taylor (ankle), safety Tavon Wilson (neck), linebacker Antwione Williams (hamstring), cornerback Adairius Barnes (ankle) and defensive end Wallace Gilberry (abdomen).

Levy has missed two games with a quad injury, and has not been seen at a practice since the opener against Indianapolis. Ansah suffered a high ankle sprain after only three snaps the following week.

Ansah has sought a second opinion on his injury, according to multiple reports, but the Lions have refused to address either player's situation.

The Lions are expected to turn to Kerry Hyder to replace Ansah at defensive end. Hyder, one of the last players to make the team, had one sack last week while filling in for Ansah and has three overall on the season. That ranks second in the league.

At linebacker, the situation is a little more unclear. Thurston Armbrister earned the start on the weak side last week, but he was replaced after just four snaps by Zaviar Gooden. But then the club released Gooden this week, and assigned him to the practice squad.

Rookie Antwione Williams has returned to practice and could get the gig, but he's listed as questionable after missing practice on Wednesday, then being limited on Thursday and Friday by a hamstring. He missed last week's game with the injury.