Allen Park, Mich. –The Detroit Lions announced today that they have exercised the fifth-year option on the contract of DE Ezekiel Ansah. Additional contract terms were not disclosed.
Ansah was named to the 2015 Pro Bowl and earned Second Team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press last season after leading the Lions in sacks with a career-high 14.5, which also ranked third in the NFL. He became the first Lions DE to be named to the Pro Bowl since DE Robert Porcher in 2002.
The Lions' first-round (fifth overall) selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, Ansah's career totals include 46 games (44 starts), 128 total tackles (95 solo), 30.0 sacks, nine forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Additionally, the Lions signed free agent LB Zaviar Gooden. Gooden joins the Lions after spending the 2013-14 seasons with the Tennessee Titans, where he appeared in 24 games (three starts). Additional contract terms were not disclosed.
