Detroit Lions: The end seems near for Ziggy Ansah

Four sacks in eight games aren't unacceptable by any means. For Ziggy Ansah, it’s not too shabby. That’s twice as many sacks the Detroit Lions‘ defensive end had last season and that took 13 games to accumulate.

Not only has the production been low, but his injuries are mounting. A nagging ankle hampered Ansah in 2016 and this season has been plagued by a knee issue. The past two games he’s been inactive with a bad back.

With all the writing on the wall, it seems the Lions would be wise to let the soon to be 29-year-old defence end walk in free agency. 2018 will yield a lot of cap space for the Lions, and they should spend it wisely. An ageing defender with injury concerns and limited production isn’t worth the money.

Players like Anthony Zettel, who leads the Lions in sacks with 6.0, and Cornelius Washington, who just collected 2.0 sacks in his first start against the Cleveland Browns, are coming to form. This doesn’t include Kerry Hyder, who is out the entire year with an Achilles injury. He led the Lions with eight sacks in 2016.

With the draft coming up, cheaper veteran free agent defensive ends who are designated pass rushers and younger less-expensive options under contract, Ansah looks like a lost cause.

If he awakens in the last portion of the season, that will make things complicated for the Lions. Golden Tate still needs an extension and plenty of other players set to become free agents require the Lions attention.

The 2018 offseason will be another important one for Bob Quinn and company. Should Ansah leave come seasons end, hopefully, he can get healthy and increase productivity in the meantime.