The Detroit Lions are expected to have a couple key pieces available to them in Week 2 vs. the San Francisco 49ers. Running back LeGarrette Blount and edge rusher Ezekiel Ansah were both listed as questionable on the final injury report, but both are expected to play, according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport.
Ansah suffered a shoulder injury last Monday against the New York Jets, and was limited all week. He is a key cog for their pass rush, in a defense that is already shaky to begin with. Blount suffered a shoulder injury of his own, but returns to a committee approach at running back. Blount was getting early rushing work on Monday, but he was splitting that with Kerryon Johnson, while Theo Riddick was getting more of the passing down work.
Right guard T.J. Lang was ruled out on Friday, and that opens a big opportunity for the 49ers defensive tackles. Left guard Frank Ragnow has struggled thus far, and with a replacement coming at the other guard position, I have to think Robert Saleh will look to dial up pressure in those two spots.