The third time's a charm. That's how many attempts the San Francisco 49ers have made to bring on board former Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks defensive end Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah. He last visited with the team on September 15 but left Santa Clara without a contract after the two sides reportedly could not agree on the numbers.
The 49ers are finalizing a one-year deal for Ansah, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The veteran pass rusher flew to the East Coast to meet the team and must pass a new round of COVID-19 testing before he can join his new teammates.
The 49ers are finalizing a one-year deal with veteran DE Ziggy Ansah, per source. Expected to be done this week after Covid protocols. @RapSheet 1st reported Ansah was flying to meet with team for expected signing.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 21, 2020
Ansah, 31, first visited with the team in August, but San Francisco instead opted to sign Dion Jordan, who was likely the more affordable of the two options.
The 49ers' star defensive end, Nick Bosa, is expected to miss the remainder of his second NFL season due to what is believed to be an ACL injury, which was suffered on Sunday against the New York Jets. Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas also left the game with a knee injury. The team was already without defensive end Dee Ford, who was ruled out of the Week 2 matchup due to a neck injury.
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The Lions drafted Ansah out of BYU with the No. 5 overall pick in 2013. He registered 18 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two passes defensed, and two forced fumbles through 11 games with the Seahawks in 2019.
Ansah has recorded 228 tackles, 50.5 sacks, four passes defensed, and 12 forced fumbles through his seven NFL seasons. A total of 28.5 of those sacks came between 2015 and 2017 with the Lions. The defender was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015.
There is some familiarity between the 49ers and Ansah. Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek worked five years with the defender while on the Lions coaching staff.