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It wasn’t a good day for Detroit Lions injury news on Thursday. After Jim Caldwell dropped the mini-bombshell that T.J. Lang had suffered a concussion and was in the middle of protocol, it was time for practice.
Lang was obviously out, having been just 24 hours removed from the first symptoms of his concussion. But the news didn’t get any better on the other side of the ball, where Ezekiel Ansah missed his second straight practice with a new back injury.
While Ansah’s 2017 season hasn’t been as productive as the team would like, losing him for a game will still be problematic for the Lions. The four other defensive ends on the roster have combined for just 6.0 sacks, and five of those come from one player: Anthony Zettel. Detroit will need a guy like Jacquies Smith, acquired just a couple weeks ago, to step up in Ansah’s absence.
In more positive news, Kenny Golladay continued his streak of now three consecutive practices. Again, he was limited on Thursday with a hamstring issue that has held him out since Week 3, but it appears he is getting much closer to a return.
On the Browns’ side, there are some big names that continue to be on the injury report, but head coach Hue Jackson is optimistic about their chances to play this week:
Jabrill Peppers, Jason McCourty, Briean Boddy-Calhoun limited in practice but "all three of these guys have a good chance to play" says Hue Jackson
— Patrick Maks (@maksimuspatrick) November 9, 2017
In other words, it looks like the Lions will be facing a Browns team that is as close to full strength as you can get at this point in the season.
Lions injury report
DE Ezekiel Ansah (back) - No practice
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (ankle) - No practice
G T.J. Lang (concussion) - No practice
S Don Carey (knee) - Limited practice
WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring) - Limited practice
T Greg Robinson (ankle) - Limited practice
Browns injury report:
WR Kenny Britt (knee) - Limited practice
DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun (hamstring) - Limited practice
DL Trevon Coley (neck) - Limited practice
DB Jason McCourty (ankle) Limited practice
DL Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - Limited practice
DB Jabrill Peppers (toe) - Limited practice
DB Jamar Taylor (ribs) - Full practice
LB Jamie Collins (shoulder) - Full practice