Detroit Lions injury report: Week 2 at New York Giants

The Detroit Lions appear to be heading to the Meadowlands at full strength for Monday Night Football. Golden Tate (finger) and Ezekiel Ansah (knee) are both expected to play against the New York Giants.

The Detroit Lions were fortunate to escape Ford Field last Sunday with two things – a 35-23 victory against the Arizona Cardinals, and a clean bill of health for everyone not named Kasey Redfern. Only Ezekiel Ansah (knee) and Golden Tate (finger) appear on this week’s injury report, and all indications are that both players will be ready to go on Monday night.

According to the report, Ansah participated in a limited practice on both Thursday and Friday, a trend expected to continue as he continues to fully recover from a knee injury that kept him out for all of training camp.

We examined Ansah’s impact in last week’s edition of ‘Check the Report’, all of which holds true for their Monday night matchup against the Giants. Ansah, along with an upstart Anthony Zettel, could present a fit for a Giants offensive line that struggled mightily against the Dallas Cowboys.

A healthy Lions defensive line could spell a world of trouble for Eli Manning, a quarterback not exactly known for his elusiveness. Should the Lions dominate up front in the same manner that they did against the Arizona Cardinals, the presence of Odell Beckham Jr. could very well be neutralized if Manning does not have enough time to go through his progressions. This could be a favorable match-up for Ansah and the rest of the Lions’ front four.

Tate’s health was in question during the middle of last week’s game after he took a Matthew Stafford fastball off of his left ring finger. Although the veteran wide receiver finished the game with 10 receptions for 107 yards, early reports stated that Tate wore a splint on that same finger after the contest. That splint has since come off, and Tate participated in a limited practice on Thursday and a full practice on Friday.

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Tate does not plan to use any protective gear for the finger, and is ready to go.

“I don’t even think it’s necessary,” Tate said. “My hand feels great, been catching with it great. It feels good.”

Next: 10 keys for a Lions win in week 2

Final game designations will come after the team’s practice on Saturday afternoon. Barring any setbacks, the Lions will have all of their weapons available against the Giants.