Lions rule out RB Riddick, three others against Rams

Sep 21, 2017 - 7:48 PM The Detroit Lions have ruled out running back Theo Riddick and three other players for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Riddick will miss the game with an ankle injury. Also declared out are linebacker DeAndre Levy (knee, quadriceps), tight end Eric Ebron (knee, ankle) and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (shoulder).

Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (ankle) has a chance to return after missing three consecutive games. Ansah, who had 14 1/2 sacks last season, is listed as questionable.

"Physically, I'm able to walk now so I feel good," Ansah told reporters. "I've been out there trying to run around a little bit. But right now I'm just trying to work as hard to do my best to come out there."

Also listed as questionable are receiver Anquan Boldin (ankle), safety Don Carey (ribs), defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson (shoulder), running back Dwayne Washington (ankle) and starting guards Laken Tomlinson (neck) and Larry Warford (hip).

Riddick's injury leaves the Lions short-handed in the backfield. He became the starter when Ameer Abdullah was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury.

Veteran Justin Forsett was signed earlier this week to help shore up the position. Zach Zenner is also available should Washington be too banged up to play.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell said the offense will miss Riddick, who is a solid receiver as well as a runner.

"He's got a uniqueness, which is obvious. You just don't find many guys, check through the history, that do what he does," Caldwell said. "We do have, if he cannot go for whatever reason, we do have a number of guys that I think are capable of doing the things that we need to get done.

"We may not do exactly the same things we do with him, but in terms of our offensive scheme, it doesn't shut down a whole area of our offense. We just have to maybe do it a little different way."