The 49ers are continuing to show interest in adding veteran pass rusher Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, according to a Sunday morning report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.
Ansah, 31, was brought in by the 49ers in early August for a COVID-19 test and a physical but did not sign a contract. Rapoport says the 49ers plan on bringing him again for a visit and another COVID-19 test today, which shows he still remains on the team's radar.
Help on the way for the #49ers? Sources say free-agent Ziggy Ansah, one of the top pass-rushers available, will be in SF today, going through COVID-19 testing in preparation for a workout Tuesday. His second visit to the #49ers, a sign of their interest.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 13, 2020
Ansah (6-5, 275) showed high-end pass-rushing ability earlier in his NFL career with the Detroit Lions, in particular during the 2015 season when his 45-tackle/14.5-sack performance earned him recognition as a second-team All-Pro. But injuries have gotten the better of Ansah since then, as he's been limited to 20.5 sacks over the past four seasons, with 12 of those coming in 2017. Ansah spent the 2019 season with the Seattle Seahawks and produced 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 11 games. On his career, Ansah has 236 tackles, 50.5 sacks, and 63 tackles-for-loss in 91 games.
Ansah was a first-round pick (fifth overall) of the Lions out of BYU in the 2013 NFL Draft. He has plenty of experience with 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, who held the same position with the Lions from 2010 to 2017. Adding Ansah would give the 49ers some extra pass rush depth while they wait for the return of Ronald Blair, who is currently on the team's physically unable to perform list and will be out for at least the first six weeks of the regular season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered last November.
