Detroit Lions injury report: Week 1 vs. Arizona Cardinals

Taking a look at the Detroit Lions injury report for Week One. Ansah (knee), Golladay (ankle) both questionable but expected to play against the Cardinals.

“Check the report.”

For media and fans alike, this is perhaps Jim Caldwell’s most irritating response when asked about the health or status of an injured player. It is also devastatingly honest. The injury report is the sole source of such information leading up to Sunday. With the season opener just days away, the Detroit Lions seem to have a relatively clean bill of health.

Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (knee), rookie wide receiver and hype train conductor Kenny Golladay (ankle), and backup offensive tackle Corey Robinson (foot) are all listed as questionable, but expected to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. All three players practiced, albeit in a limited basis, three days in a row – a strong indicator in the Caldwell era that they will be ready to go on Sunday.

Both Ansah and Golladay’s availability is essential to the Lions chances of defeating the Arizona Cardinals.

On the defensive side of the ball, a healthy Ezekiel Ansah is simply a game-changer. He is by far the Lions best pass rusher. Many question marks surround Detroit’s ability to pressure the quarterback, and if they have any hope to slow down Bruce Arians’ high-powered offense, it starts up front. Ansah’s presence will most certainly draw attention from the Cardinals offensive line, which could open up opportunities for other members of the defensive line to make plays. The only thing truly questionable about Ansah’s status is whether a full week of practice will prove to be enough after missing all of training camp and preseason.

Kenny Golladay arguably generated the most intrigue of any member of the Detroit Lions rookie class this preseason. Although Golladay’s exact role has yet to be defined, his ability to make plays and be a factor in the red zone was on full display throughout camp and against the Colts a few weeks ago. He will see his fair share of snaps as part of the Lions offensive attack, as Jim Bob Cooter alluded to this week:

"“We’re going to play more than three [receivers], so everybody’s going to play.”"

Next: Lions 2017 game-by-game predictions

T.J. Lang and Haloti Ngata each did not practice on Friday, most likely as a way to keep both veterans fresh for the season opener. Zach Zenner (back), who appeared on the injury report Wednesday, participated in practice each of the last two days.