ALLEN PARK, Mich. – The Detroit Lions finally confirmed Wednesday afternoon that defensive end Ziggy Ansah, the team’s first-round draft pick, suffered a concussion.
The Lions, who open the regular season Sunday against Minnesota, were forced to report injuries for the first time this season per NFL rules.
The club previously would not comment on Ansah’s status.
Ansah took part in the stretching exercises at the beginning of practice and then did some running to work on his conditioning.
He did not have his helmet with him nor did he take part in the rest of the practice with his teammates.
Nevertheless, the physical activity is an indication that Ansah has made some progress, but how he responds to the workout will be more important.
Ansah hasn’t practiced since Aug. 24 when he collided with teammate Leroy Harris during a drill in practice.
Coach Jim Schwartz continued to provide no additional information about Ansah’s status, choosing to stand solely by the mandatory injury report.
Schwartz explained the policy following practice.
“I think we’ve got to have enough discipline to stick with our philosophy on that,” he said. “We’re no different than a lot of teams in the league. There’s no sense giving our opponents any kind of information on where we are with injuries, starting lineups, how we’re going to line up on kickoff team, anything like that.
“I know you guys have jobs to do,” he told the media. “But you’ve got to understand where we’re coming from with this also. It doesn’t serve your needs the best way you need it but it serves our needs the best way that we need it and that’s why we’re going to do it.”
The only other player listed on the Lions' injury update was safety Louis Delmas, who was "limited" in practice because of his chronic knee problem. Delmas has been held out of numerous practices throughout the preseason and is expected to start against the Vikings.
