Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Darius Slay OK after hit, Ansah improving

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions had a small scare Monday morning after cornerback Darius Slay collided with wide receiver Golden Tate.

For the second straight week, injury to a starter was averted.

“What actually happened is he had a little problem in a one-on-one situation,” Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. “Golden Tate went up for a ball and came down kind of on his neck and I told him Golden has a way of being a pain in the neck once in a while.”

Slay said after practice that he’s "good" following the dustup and Caldwell said the second-year cornerback from Mississippi State will be back at practice Tuesday. In his place, Cassius Vaughn received some work with the first unit, perhaps shedding some insight into the cornerback competition behind Slay and fellow starter Rashean Mathis.

As for Ezekiel Ansah, he was a bit more active Monday. While he is still on the active physically unable to perform list and his status for the preseason opener against Cleveland remains unclear, Ansah did some light individual work on the side with bags for a portion of Detroit's practice.

This is more than he has done in prior practices and while Ansah declined to speak after practice Monday, it would appear he is getting closer to returning.

“He’s making good progress,” Caldwell said. “They are ramping up his activities in terms of his rehab. As you watch him out here he’s doing more and more and more each day. He’s getting close, so we’ll see what happens.”

In Ansah’s place, the Lions have used mostly Devin Taylor and George Johnson at the open defensive end spot opposite Jason Jones.

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