Several Key Lions Players Out For Eagles Game, Per Report

The Lions are dealing with a number of injuries.

Eric Ebron

Eric Ebron. (USA TODAY Sports)

The Detroit Lions (1-3) will be missing several key players in their Week 5 game against the Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) this Sunday. Starting tight end Eric Ebron and starting defensive end Ezekiel Ansah are expected to be out, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Caplan. 

Both Ebron (knee/ankle) and Ansah (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday. Ebron left Detroit’s Week 4 game early with injuries before eventually returning. Ansah, meanwhile, hasn’t played since Week 2.

These injuries figure to be significant losses for Detroit. Ebron is one of the team’s best offensive weapons. He currently has the second most receiving yards and third most receptions of any Lions player. Ansah had 14.5 sacks for the Lions in 2015. 3.5 of those occurred during the Eagles-Lions game on Thanksgiving last year.

Ebron and Ansah might not be the only key players out this weekend. Four other starters missed Lions practice on Wednesday, including linebacker DeAndre Levy. Levy hasn’t practiced since Week 1 but he’s now apparently dealing with a new issue. In addition to the quad injury that’s kept him out, Levy is now listed with a knee injury as well. When healthy, Levy is one of Detroit’s best defenders.

The absence of key players such as Ansah and Levy has contributed to Detroit’s major defensive struggles. The Lions’ defense ranks dead last in the NFL by Football Outsiders. Teryl Austin’s unit has allowed the second most yards per play in the league.

The Eagles will be looking to take advantage of this banged-up Lions squad. Philadelphia is well-rested coming off their Week 4 bye. Five players were listed on the Eagles’ injury report but all five were full participants. Starting tight end Zach Ertz and starting corner Leodis McKelvin are both expected to return to the field this Sunday after being out since Week 1.

EAGLES LOOKING FOR OFFENSIVE LINE HELP?

In other Eagles news, the team worked out three free agent offensive linemen on Tuesday. The list included: Josh LeRibeus, Matt Rotheram, and Pearce Slater.

LeRibeus was a third round pick by the Redskins in the 2012 NFL Draft. The 27-year-old started 11 games for Washington in 2015. He has experience at guard and center.

Rotheram, a guard, spent the 2015 season on the Packers’ practice squad. The 6-7, 334 pound Slater signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted rookie free agent earlier this offseason. He’s an offensive tackle.

The Eagles’ interest in free agent linemen likely stems from the impending Lane Johnson situation. Johnson is expected to play against the Lions this week.