The Detroit Lions’ final injury report of Week 2 is out and it comes with some mixed news.
As expected, starting right guard T.J. Lang is officially out for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, after missing all three days of practice with a back injury suffered late on Monday night. In his place, Kenny Wiggins is expected to start.
As for defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, he is officially listed as questionable for Sunday, and was again a limited participant on Friday’s practice. However, Ansah expressed some hope in the locker room after practice.
“I’m optimistic,” Ansah said about his chances to play in San Francisco this week.
If Ansah can’t go, it will likely mean Detroit will heavily rely on Kerry Hyder, who played 75 percent of snaps last week, higher than any other defensive end on the roster.
Interestingly, running back LeGarrette Blount is also questionable and was downgraded to a limited participant in practice, despite being full on Wednesday and Thursday. Detroit’s running back crew is deep, however, so if Blount can’t go, the Lions could give rookie Kerryon Johnson a bigger role. Detroit’s second-round pick had only 16 snaps in his season debut last week.
Here is the full Lions injury report. We’ll add the 49ers’ report once they release it.
UPDATE: The 49ers will be missing two key players. Starting wide receiver Marquise Goodwin is OUT with a quad injury, as is guard Joshua Garnett. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has confirmed they will start undrafted rookie Najee Toran at right guard.
San Francisco got some good news, though, as linebacker Malcolm Smith returned to practice in a limited fashion. He is questionable for Sunday.
Lions Friday injury report:
OL Andrew Donnal (knee) - OUT
G T.J. Lang (back) - OUT
DE Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder) - Questionable
RB LeGarrette Blount (shoulder) - Questionable
49ers injury report
WR Marquise Goodwin (quad) - OUT
OL Erik Magnuson (hamstring) - OUT
G Joshua Garnett (toe) - OUT
DB Adrian Colbert (hamstring) - Questionable
OL Mike Person (foot) - Questionable
LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring) - Questionable