Haloti Ngata Injury: Updates on Lions Star's Shoulder and Return

Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was nursing a shoulder injury that initially had him listed as questionable for Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, but the Detroit Lions announced he is active for the contest.

The Lions traded for Ngata in hopes of replacing some of what they lost when Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley left via free agency.   

Ngata has been a durable player over the course of his career despite playing down in the trenches, as he missed just five games in his first eight seasons. The former Oregon standout was forced to sit out four contests last year, although that was due to a suspension rather than an injury.

The 6'4", 330-plus-pounder has been one of the most reliable defensive contributors in the league over the course of his career, but that has started to wane a bit.

In addition to Ngata's four-game suspension last season, he failed to make the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2008. A number of factors, including his contract nearing its conclusion, prompted the Ravens to part ways with the two-time All-Pro.

After that, Ngata admitted that getting dealt added some fuel to his fire in terms of wanting to return to elite form, per Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com:

"I definitely have a chip on my shoulder because I got traded," Ngata said. "Somebody didn't want me and going to a place that wants you is pretty awesome. ... So, definitely, I feel like I have a different attitude and mentality towards it, a trying to prove someone wrong kind of thing."

Ngata also went on to express how happy he was to be in Detroit despite spending his entire career with the Ravens previously, according to SiriusXM NFL Radio:

While Ngata said and did all the right things upon being traded to the Lions, it didn't take long for a red flag to pop up with regard to his health.

The 10th-year pro was placed on the non-football injury list with a hamstring ailment, which caused him to miss a huge chunk of training camp and the preseason.

While Ngata was able to bounce back, his potential absence now puts the Lions in a very difficult spot after losing so much talent at defensive tackle this offseason.

With Ngata in the lineup, the team will now have a significant upgrade over Corey Wootton and Gabe Wright, who are a far cry from what Lions fans have grown accustomed to on the interior of the defensive line.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.