Lions Banged Up as Eagles Approach

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - The Detroit Lions officially ruled out three key players in advance of Sunday’s game against the unbeaten Eagles.

As expected the Lions announced that star defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), as well as tight end Eric Ebron (ankle/knee) and linebacker DeAndre Levy (knee/quad) will all be missing in action. Also, running back Dwayne Washington was also listed as doubtful with an ankle injury.

Three other Detroit players are listed as questionable for the game: wide receiver Marvin Jones (foot), safety Don Carey (ribs) and safety Tavon Wilson (neck).

Jones, however, practiced in full on Friday and an NFL source tells 973espn.com that the NFL’s second-leading receiver will play.

Philadelphia is much healthier heading into the game with only defensive tackle Bennie Logan, who tweaked his calf in practice earlier in the week, listed as questionable.

If Logan is unable to play that likely means additional snaps for both Beau Allen and rookie Destiny Vaeao.

In other news, the Eagles started prepping for the expected loss of Lane Johnson to suspension next week by signing two offensive linemen to the practice squad, offensive guards Darrell Greene and Matt Rotheram.

To make room the team release cornerback Jacorey Shepherd and linebacker Don Cherry, a Villanova product.

Johnson, of course, appealed his 10-game PED penalty earlier this week and the team expects the final decision sometime next week.

Greene and Shepherd have ping-ponged spots on the practice squad in recent weeks but Rotheram, a 6-foot-6, 340-pound Pitt product is new to the mix.

Known as a top-tier run blocker with the Panthers, he was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Green Bay in 2015 and spent time on the Packers’ practice squad last season.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen