He missed the entirety of spring workouts for the Detroit Lions and the first two weeks of training camp as well, but defensive end Ezekiel Ansah will finally start practicing in preparation for his second season.
Ansah was activated from the active PUP list by the Lions on Tuesday before their scheduled practice that evening. He had been on the PUP list as he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.
Although Ansah is now on the active roster, Lions coach Jim Caldwell ruled him out of Friday night's preseason game against Oakland. Caldwell said the team doesn't plan on rushing their defensive end back too soon.
"No, he's not going to play this weekend. He'll be able to catch up pretty quickly," Caldwell said. "One of the things, up front, with four guys, it's not really too different from what he's been accustomed to. Just in terms of knowing games and stunts and things of that nature that will change his rush lanes a little bit.
"But he's been working and sort of ramping up his activity a little bit."
While he sat out, Ansah had been around the team and participated in walk-through activities to try and mentally pick up the defense, but could not do anything else.
Having Ansah back with a little less than a month before the season opener against the New York Giants is a benefit to the Lions, who anticipate him starting at the open defensive end position this season.
Ansah, a former first-round pick, led all rookies with eight sacks last season. He also had 32 tackles and two forced fumbles in 14 games for the Lions.