The Detroit Lions already knew they'd be without two fifths of their starting offensive line Saturday vs. the Chicago Bears with center Travis Swanson (concussion) and right tackle Rick Wagner (ankle) already ruled out. The question mark was whether right guard T.J. Lang, who was questionable coming in, would play with the foot injury he's been dealing with the last couple weeks.
Lang is active for this rare Saturday NFC North matchup. Lang sat out practice Tuesday and Wednesday, but returned Thursday in limited fashion. It was similar to the schedule he had last week when he started in Tampa Bay. The Lions could decide to manage this injury a similar way the rest of the season.
With Swanson out, the Lions will likely shift Graham Glasgow over to center, and could look to second-year lineman Joe Dahl to make his first career start at left guard. Veteran guard Don Barclay is also on the roster and active. Corey Robinson will likely start in place of Wagner this week.
Defensive end Ziggy Ansah, who was also questionable coming in with an ankle injury, is active. That move was expected when Ansah was named a team captain on defense Thursday.
Running back Ameer Abdullah is also active after missing the last two games with a neck injury. He joins Theo Riddick and Tion Green in Detroit's backfield today. Running backs Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner are inactive.
The Lions also get back cornerback/kick returner/offensive weapon Jamal Agnew, who's missed the last three games with a knee injury. Agnew leads the NFL in punt return average (16.8) and touchdowns (2). The Lions have missed his big-play ability the last few weeks.
Joining Wagner, Swanson, Washington and Zenner on Detroit's inactive list are: Guard Emmett Cleary, receiver Bradley Marquez and defensive tackle Rodney Coe.
