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Ezekiel Ansah | Defensive Lineman | #94

Team: Detroit Lions
Age / DOB:  (28) / 5/29/1989
Ht / Wt:  6'5' / 275
College: Brigham Young
Drafted: 2013 / Rd. 1 (5) / DET
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Lions signed franchise player DE Ezekiel Ansah to a one-year, $17.143 million contract.
He signed his franchise tender just in time for the start of offseason workouts. Ansah is back as Detroit's top pass-rusher after leading the team with 12 sacks last season. The Lions have until July 16 to reach a long-term deal with Ansah, who turns 29 next month. Apr 17 - 3:37 PM
Source: detroitlions.com

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Player News

Date:
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Ezekiel Ansah is expected to sign his franchise tender and report for offseason work on Tuesday.

Ansah is returning from Ghana on Monday and will report for work on Tuesday. When he signs his tender, he will be owed $17.143 million for the 2018 season. He and the Lions have until July 16 to work out a long-term deal.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Apr 16 - 10:16 AM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

The Detroit News' Justin Rogers reports DE Ziggy Ansah won't be with the Lions due to family obligations when the team reports for workouts Monday.

Ansah is still in Ghana but has kept the front office, including head coach Matt Patricia, in the loop. Expectation is that Ansah joins the team shortly. He still may decide to skip part of the offseason program when he returns due to contract talks, but he is not expected to hold out into training camp. Ansah will make $17.143 million in 2018 if he plays under the tag.
Related: Lions
Source: Justin Rogers on Twitter
Apr 8 - 2:42 PM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

The Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett reports the Lions and franchise-tagged DE Ezekiel Ansah "remain far apart" in contract talks.

The two sides are far enough apart "people close to Ansah remain convinced he'll play this fall on the one-year tag," Birkett added. The pass rusher has yet to sign his franchise tender and may decide to skip part of the offseason program, but he is not expected to hold out into training camp. Ansah will make $17.143 million in 2018 if he plays under the tag.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Mar 29 - 11:44 AM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

Lions assigned the franchise tag to RE Ezekiel Ansah.

The tag is worth roughly $17.5 million for defensive ends. After an injury-ruined 2016 where he tallied just two sacks, Ansah rebounded for 12 in 2017. He was still inconsistent, racking up his sacks in bunches and disappearing for long stretches. The No. 5 overall pick of the 2013 draft turns 29 in May. The sides have until July 16 to work out a long-term agreement.
Source: Tori Petry on Twitter
Feb 27 - 3:35 PM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

ESPN's Michael Rothstein "doesn't see" the Lions letting DE Ezekiel Ansah leave as an impending free agent.

Ansah ended the season on a high note with three sacks of Brett Hundley in the Week 17 finale, finishing the year tied for eighth in the league with 12 sacks. Nine of those dozen sacks came across three games, with Ansah disappearing for long stretches. The Lions, however, have nothing in terms of pass rushers behind Ansah, and the free-agent market is completely barren at the position. It makes sense for Detroit to franchise-tag Ansah for roughly $17 million.
Source: ESPN.com
Feb 24 - 12:53 PM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

Lions DE Ezekiel Ansah was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 17.

Ansah recorded three sacks of Brett Hundley in the season finale. He finished the year with 12 sacks, tied for eighth in the league. However, Ansah's contract year was mostly a disappointment as he continued to battle injuries, while nine of his dozen sacks came in three games. Ansah will be an interesting case in free agency after recording just two sacks last season.
Jan 3 - 3:02 PM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

Lions DE Ezekiel Ansah (back) is expected to play Thursday against the Vikings.

Ansah has missed the last two games with a back injury, but he was able to get in limited practices this week and looks like he will be able to play. It is a big upgrade for a defense which also could have the services of veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney, who was just claimed off waivers on Wednesday.
Source: Stacey Dales on Twitter
Thu, Nov 23, 2017 08:43:00 AM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

Lions declared DE Ezekiel Ansah, OL Don Barclay, WR Jace Billingsley, OL Emmett Cleary, RB Tion Green, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin and RB Dwayne Washington inactive for Week 11 against the Bears.

Ansah was ruled out with a back injury on Friday. Washington (hip) and Reeves-Maybin (ankle) are also hurt while the other inactives are healthy scratches. Don Carey (knee) and T.J. Lang (concussion) are both active for the 5-4 Lions.
Source: Detroit Lions on Twitter
Sun, Nov 19, 2017 11:35:00 AM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

The Detroit Free Press considers contract-year DE Ezekiel Ansah a candidate for a one-year, prove-it deal.

Ansah is having a down 2017 and has struggled with injuries the last two seasons. He should still push for $10-plus million on his next deal, but may need to reestablish his value to get multiple years of guaranteed money. Ansah isn't going to be franchised at an $18M salary.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Fri, Nov 17, 2017 07:14:00 PM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

Lions coach Jim Caldwell said the team is going "week to week and see what happens, day to day" with Ezekiel Ansah (back).

Ansah sat out practice Wednesday after missing his first game of the season last week against Cleveland. Slowed by knee and back injuries all year, Ansah has just four sacks with three of those coming in the same game. It may be in the Lions' best interest to give their star pass rusher some time to get healthy.
Source: ESPN
Thu, Nov 16, 2017 11:26:00 AM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

Lions DE Ziggy Ansah (back) is doubtful for Week 10 against the Browns.

He didn't practice all week with his back injury. It's another setback in a down season for Ansah, who has just one sack since Week 2. Cornelius Washington and Jeremiah Valoaga will pick up Ansah's snaps.
Source: detroitlions.com
Fri, Nov 10, 2017 03:14:00 PM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

Ziggy Ansah (back) didn't practice on Wednesday.

This is a new injury for Ansah, who has also dealt with knee and ankle issues this year. The fifth-year defensive end has recorded 18 tackles and four sacks across 293 defensive snaps this season.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Wed, Nov 8, 2017 06:57:00 PM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

Lions DE Ziggy Ansah thinks he is still the "same" player he was in 2015.

Ansah broke out with 14.5 sacks in a Pro-Bowl 2015, but he has just six takedowns in 19 games since with three of those coming against Ereck Flowers in Week 2. Injuries likely deserve most of the blame for his downturn -- he was hampered by an ankle injury all last season and a knee issue this year -- but one and a half seasons of limited production is concerning regardless of the reason. Scheduled to be a free agent this spring, both the Lions and Ansah need him to finish strong.
Source: ESPN
Thu, Oct 26, 2017 09:32:00 AM
Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

Lions DE Ziggy Ansah (questionable, knee) is expected to play Sunday against the Falcons.

It confirms Ansah didn't have any setbacks after a week of limited practice. With the Falcons offensive line banged up, Ansah should continue to build off his three-sack Week 2.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Sun, Sep 24, 2017 08:45:00 AM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
DE1Ezekiel Ansah
2Kerry Hyder
3Anthony Zettel
4Cornelius Washington
5Alex Barrett
DT1A'Shawn Robinson
2Akeem Spence
3Sylvester Williams
4Jeremiah Ledbetter
5Christian Ringo
MLB1Jarrad Davis
2Nick Bellore
3Brandon Chubb
WLB1Christian Jones
2Jalen Reeves-Maybin
SLB1Devon Kennard
2Jonathan Freeny
3Steve Longa
CB1Darius Slay
2Nevin Lawson
3Teez Tabor
4Deshawn Shead
5Jamal Agnew
FS1Glover Quin
2Tavon Wilson
3Charles Washington
4Stefan McClure
SS1Quandre Diggs
2Miles Killebrew
3Rolan Milligan
P1Sam Martin