Lions place DE Ansah (knee) on PUP list to open camp
The Detroit Lions placed defensive end Ezekiel Ansah on the physically unable to perform list to open training camp, the team announced Tuesday.
The Detroit Free Press reported in March that Ansah had a clean-out procedure on his knee after the 2017 season. He participated on a limited basis during offseason practices after receiving the team's franchise tag in February.
Ansah, who has battled extensive knee and ankle injuries in recent years, will make about $17.1 million in 2018 on the franchise tag after he and the Lions were unable to reach a long-term extension before the July 16 deadline.
The 29-year-old had 12.0 sacks in 14 games last season, a bounce-back campaign from 2.0 sacks tallied in 13 games in 2016. He earned his only career Pro Bowl selection in 2015 with 14.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Ansah has 44.0 career sacks in 73 games (71 starts) since Detroit took him fifth overall in the 2013 draft.
The Lions also placed fullback Nick Bawden on injured reserve, signed linebacker Freddie Bishop and put wideout Andy Jones on the PUP list.
Detroit took Bawden, a former quarterback, in the seventh round out of San Diego State in April's draft.
Bishop joined the Lions in 2013 as an undrafted free agent from Western Michigan but didn't make the team. He then spent three years in the Canadian Football League before playing in nine games over the last two years with the New York Jets.
Jones appeared in one game for the Lions late last season after being signed off the practice squad.
--Field Level Media
