Fooch’s update: Here is the Lions final injury report.
Out: T Andrew Donnal (knee), G T.J. Lang (back)
Questionable: DE Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder), RB LeGarrette Blount (shoulder)
The San Francisco 49ers are dealing with a host of injuries, but the Detroit Lions have plenty of their own to consider. They wrapped up their final practice for Week 2, and guard T.J. Lang and edge rusher Ezekiel Ansah are significant question marks.
Lang sat out all three practices this week due to a back injury. Ansah was a limited participant all three practices due to a shoulder injury.
Players have played after missing a full week of practice, but Lions head coach Matt Patricia said these decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, according to Detroit Free-Press writer Dave Birkett.
“Every situation is different, too, from that standpoint,” Patricia said. ”We’re obviously trying to get our guys as prepared as much as possible. There’s different ways that they are at practice and different ways that they can absorb the information to be ready for (games), and the biggest thing is the level of experience, I would say, based on the player that effects it from that standpoint. So if you have a high confidence in that guy is mentally prepared, you know physically he’s proven that he can go out and play and do those things, and then you’ll take all that into account before you get to that final decision.”
Lions fans don’t think Lang will play this week, and Kenny Wiggins will get the start at right guard. Given Frank Ragnow’s struggles at left guard, this opens up a huge opportunity for the 49ers defensive tackles. DeForest Buckner had 2.5 sacks last week against the Minnesota Vikings, and Arik Armstead was able to get pressure on Kirk Cousins. Add in a potential bounce-back game for Solomon Thomas, and the 49ers could make some big things happen on Sunday.
Ansah seems a little more likely to play given his slightly more advanced practice status, and he told the media he is optimistic he will play on Sunday. Of course, I would expect a player to say he is optimistic. It seems like he will probably be a game-time decision.