Lions' top pick Ziggy Ansah returns to practice

By foxsports
Published

ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah, the fifth pick overall in the NFL draft, participated in practice Thursday for the first time since suffering a concussion 12 days earlier.

The Lions must identify in Friday’s injury report whether Ansah is “probable,” “questionable,” or “doubtful” for Sunday’s regular-season opener against Minnesota.

Ansah suffered the concussion August 24 when he collided with offensive lineman Leroy Harris during a practice drill. Ansah returned to practice that day but left the field with a towel over his head during stretching exercises the next morning.

“We have protocols that we follow,” coach Jim Schwartz said. “We’re going to make the best decisions that we can.  Those are difficult decisions to make. It is what it is. That was an unpadded practice. There was no more contact after he returned. It wasn’t like he was put back into a full-padded practice or more contact or stuff like that.

“Those are difficult situations. Concussions are a lot different than ankles and hamstrings and shoulders and everything else.”

This is believed to be the first time Ansah, who is in only his fourth year of playing football at any level, has suffered a concussion.

He did some running Wednesday on the practice field and apparently responded well to that workout, allowing him to put his helmet back on Thursday and return for at least part of a regular practice.

Ansah was not available for comment.