NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported this morning that the San Francisco 49ers are flying in Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, intending to sign the veteran pass rusher. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN later reported that the 49ers are finalizing a one-year deal for Ansah.
The signing will likely become official once Ansah has passed another round of COVID-19 testing.
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
The news comes after second-year defensive end Nick Bosa suffered what is feared to be an ACL injury on Sunday against the New York Jets.
The Ansah news shouldn't come as a surprise. The 49ers have looked into the possibility of signing him twice before. Earlier this month, the team tried to sign him to a deal, but the two sides reportedly could not agree on the numbers.
RELATED 49ers finalizing one-year deal for pass rusher Ziggy Ansah, per report
Rapoport joined KNBR this morning and discussed the impending signing of the 31-year-old defender.
"Played for the Seahawks last year; didn't play well," Rapoport explained on the Murph & Mac show. "But also couldn't train because he was coming off a torn labrum. So, when they got him, he was like 260 pounds. He's up to 280 now. So, he's in a much better situation now with the 49ers than he was with the Seahawks last year."
Added Rapoport: "(He's) much better; much better shape, and 20 pounds bigger."
Rapoport adds that one of the team's other pass rushers, Dee Ford, didn't travel with the team for its Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. He is dealing with a neck injury, but Rapoport believes he is expected to fly out and meet the team on the East Coast.
The 49ers are staying and practicing at The Greenbrier in West Virginia between their two games at MetLife Stadium.
Rapoport also provided an update on running back Raheem Mostert's MCL sprain, calling the injury "very mild."
Added Rapoport: "No one has ruled him out for next week; I'll say that. I didn't get the sense this one is dire at all, so if he misses a game, that's probably what it's going to be."
As for Jimmy Garoppolo, Rapoport believes the 49ers quarterback may only miss two to four weeks due to the high-ankle sprain he suffered on Sunday.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan is expected to provide injury updates when he speaks to reporters this afternoon.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Rapoport below.
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