SANTA CLARA – The Detroit Lions will be without key starters on both sides of the football today vs. the 49ers.
The team already ruled out starting right guard T.J. Lang on Friday's injury report. Lang left last week's game in the fourth quarter with a back injury and sat out practice all week.
The Lions will also be without defensive end Ziggy Ansah, who injured a shoulder in last week's loss to the Jets and left that game in the second quarter. He was limited in practice this week, and said Friday he was "optimistic" he could give it a go today, but that shoulder obviously hasn't gotten to a point where it will allow him to play just yet.
Ansah is Detroit's best pass rusher and edge setter in the run game, so not having him available vs. a potent 49ers' offense is a tough blow for the Lions.
Kenny Wiggins is likely to get the start in place of Lang, and Kerry Hyder Jr. and others should see more snaps on the edge on defense.
"It's the next man up mentality," Wiggins said Friday. "Even if this wasn't the situation, I'd prepare like I was a starter anyway. I've been in a backup role before and I know how to prepare and I know how to go in there and play."
Also inactive for the Lions are: Running back Ameer Abdullah, tight end Hakeem Valles, wide receiver Brandon Powell, offensive lineman Jamil Demby and offensive lineman Andrew Donnal.
Defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson is active after being a healthy scratch in Week 1.
