Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah hasn't practiced in 10 days due to a concussion -- the injury was revealed in the team's injury report Wednesday -- but evidence exists that Detroit's first-round draft pick is on his way back.
The team's official website reported that Ansah was seen running with trainers to the side during Wednesday's session. The No. 5 overall selection in April's draft first left practice on Aug. 25, one day after sustaining a hit in a non-padded session that left him dazed.
Ansah quickly has become a key piece of Detroit's nasty front four. Along with Ndamukong Suh, Jason Jones and Nick Fairley, the Lions are a good bet to punish quarterbacks this season.
Other injuries we're monitoring league-wide:
»Kenjon Barner has a chance to impact Carolina's ground game this season, but not from the trainer's room. The Panthers rookie running back missed another practice Wednesday, according to Steve Reed of The Associated Press. Barner hasn't practiced since suffering an ankle injury in the preseason finale and looms as a possible scratch for Sunday's opener against the Seattle Seahawks. That leaves Mike Tolbert as the primary backup behind DeAngelo Williams.
»Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano told reporters Wednesday that tight ends Coby Fleener (knee) and Dwayne Allen (foot) will play in Sunday's opener against the Oakland Raiders. CUT TO:Andrew Luck doing his equally awkward version of THIS.
» We've heard all summer that H-back James Casey is set for a prominent role in Chip Kelly's fast-paced Eagles attack. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Casey was back at practice Wednesday after exiting the preseason finale with a hamstring injury. Philly's "OW" should be ready for Monday night's tilt with the Washington Redskins.
»Browns rookie pass rusher Barkevious Mingo was limited again during Wednesday's practice. The outside linebacker, making his way back from a bruised lung, took part in non-contact drills, did cone work and caught passes, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Browns CEO Joe Banner told the newspaper Tuesday that Mingo will undergo medical testing this week to determine his availability for Sunday's opener against the Miami Dolphins.
»Vikings coach Leslie Frazier told reporters Wednesday the team has yet to decide if defensive tackle Kevin Williams will play against the Detroit Lionson Sunday, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today. There's "definitely a chance," Frazier said, but Williams hasn't practiced since suffering a hyperextended right knee against the 49erson Aug. 25.
»Blaine Gabbert is practicing through the discomfort of the fractured right thumb he suffered Aug. 17. The Jacksonvilee Jaguars starting quarterback threw at practice Monday and planned to take snaps Wednesday ahead of Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"It's still a day-to-day thing," Gabbert told reporters, per The Florida Times-Union. "I'm going to go out there and do a little more than I did on Monday and see how it feels. It feels better and better each day. It's just a funny deal to stay on top of it and manage it."
The "Around The League Podcast" is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.
