D'ANDRE SWIFT NEWS

Finds complement in Williams Swift is expected to share a large portion of the workload with recent signee Jamaal Williams according to offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

Impact The Lions emphasized adding depth at running back this offseason, signing Williams via free agency and drafting Jermar Jefferson in the seventh round. At least in the case of the former, Lynn seemed to suggest Williams could even work in tandem with Swift, saying, "I don't see them as being interchangeable, I see them more as being complementary. Swift is more of a speed-space back; Jamaal can be more of a between-the-tackles and sometimes perimeter." Adrian Peterson, who was not re-signed in the offseason, nearly doubled Swift's red-zone carries last year, so it's possible Williams could immediately fill that void. That being said, Swift never really saw consistent playing time with the Packers until Week 6 of last year and also missed three games due to injuries later in the season, so a bump in playing time is almost guaranteed. How Lynn's comments impact the backfield opportunities remains to be seen, but it's at least worth noting, given Swift's rightfully high fantasy outlook entering the 2021-2022 campaign.

MAY 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Some NFL veterans prosper as business season begins

As the NFL opened its business year, veterans Trent Williams, A

MARCH 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Could get new backfield partner Despite referring to Swift as a three-down back, Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said Wednesday that he wants to find "someone else to go with him," Chris Burke of The Ath...

Impact A 2020 second-round pick, Swift showcased three-down ability as a rookie, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and 6.3 yards per target while scoring 10 touchdowns on 160 touches. He should be locked in as Detroit's lead back under a new coaching staff, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll elevate to a 20-touch-per-week, RB1-type workload. While he was head coach for the Chargers, Lynn typically split snaps and touches between two or three backs, with his teams regularly ranked near the top of the league in percentage of targets (and fantasy points) going to running backs. Granted, Lynn's teams sometimes had both Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler available out of the backfield, while Detroit's options behind Swift appear questionable. Lynn's comments suggest he isn't too excited about Adrian Peterson (an impending free agent) or Kerryon Johnson, who has one year left on his rookie contract.

FEBRUARY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in season finale Swift rushed 12 times for 54 yards and one touchdown while securing three of three targets for 16 yards during Sunday's 37-35 loss to Minnesota.

Impact While he ceded a good chunk of the work in the ground game to Adrian Peterson, Swift again drew the start and ultimately paced the backfield in touches for the eighth time in his last eight games. After starting the season slowly as a depth option behind Peterson, the rookie will finish the campaign with 878 total yards and 10 scores, averaging nearly 80 total yards and a score in his eight starts as one of the few bright spots in Detroit's 5-11 2020 campaign. With Peterson no longer under contract beyond this season, the future is especially bright for Swift.

JANUARY 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lions and makeshift coaching staff struggle against Bucs

When a team loses 47-7, it is difficult to pick out one play that could have changed things

DECEMBER 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Quiet with rest of team's offense Swift rushed 10 times for 45 yards and lost a fumble in Saturday's 47-7 loss to the Buccaneers. He added four catches on five targets for 25 yards.

Impact Swift didn't have a chance to get going in this one, as Detroit lost starting quarterback Matthew Stafford to an ankle injury on its first drive and was buried in a 34-0 hole by halftime. On the bright side, Swift still led the team in rushing yards and finished second to Danny Amendola in receiving yards. The rookie should find more running room in Week 17 against the Vikings, who just gave up six touchdowns to Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

DECEMBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Buccaneers can clinch playoff spot with win over lowly Lions

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can clinch a spot in the playoffs with a win over the Detroit Lions

DECEMBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Aching Stafford starts but can't make up for Lions' miscues

Matthew Stafford showed off his toughness and grit by starting despite a rib injury that had the Detroit quarterback convinced he wouldn’t play early this week

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scores twice via ground Swift registered 67 yards and two rushing TDs over 15 carries, adding four receptions for 15 yards during Sunday's 46-25 loss to the Titans. He also lost one fumble.

Impact With Detroit remaining devoid of No. 1 wideout Kenny Golladay (hip) since Week 8, Swift again stepped into a notable pass-catching role, tying Mohamed Sanu for second on the team in targets. The second-round rookie currently holds a streak of eight consecutive games with three or more receptions, and he's now provided three rushing scores over his past two outings. A Week 16 matchup against Tampa Bay has the potential to curtail Swift's effectiveness on the ground, as the Buccaneers are surrendering a league-low 3.1 yards per carry to opposing backs on the season.

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Totals 50 yards in return Swift rushed seven times for 24 yards and one touchdown while catching four of five targets for 26 yards during Sunday's 31-24 loss to Green Bay.

Impact After missing three games due to a concussion and subsequent illness, Swift returned to log over half of the offensive snaps, and his 11 touches were more than double that of Adrian Peterson (five). While Kerryon Johnson also saw some playing time, interim head coach Darrell Bevell looks like he will let Swift pick up where he left off as the Lions' clear feature back. However, the potential absence of quarterback Matthew Stafford (ribs) is something to keep an eye on in advance of Sunday's Week 15 game against the Titans.

DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Returning from three-game absence Swift (illness) is active for Sunday's contest against the Packers.

Impact Swift sat out Weeks 11 and 12 due to a concussion, and while he passed the protocol for head injuries during Week 13 prep, a non-COVID-19-related illness conspired to keep him out for a third straight game. After logging a full practice Friday, he was deemed questionable for this outing, but the aforementioned lack of limitations indicated he was trending toward a return. Indeed, Swift is back in the lineup and will look to take advantage of a Green Bay defense that conceded 72 yards from scrimmage on his 10 touches back in Week 2.

DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Should return Sunday Swift (illness), who is listed as questionable, is expected to play Sunday against the Packers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact The 21-year-old hasn't seen the field since Week 10 due to a concussion and an illness, but he received the questionable tag after working as a full participant at Friday's practice. Swift took control of the backfield and played a season-high 73 percent of the offensive snaps during his last contest, but the three-game absence could result in less of a workhorse role his first game back on the field.

DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable after full practice Swift (illness) was a full practice participant Friday but is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact Interim coach Darrell Bevell said Swift has been making progress, culminating in his first full practice since Wednesday of Week 11. The rookie broke out for 149 yards from scrimmage on a season-high 73-percent snap share the last time he suited up, but it's possible he slides back into a committee after missing three straight games. Swift at least appears on track to play, be it as a three-down workhorse or as part of a timeshare. The Packers and Lions are scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, with Detroit needing to pull off the upset to have any realistic shot at competing for a wild-card spot.

DECEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Jets RB Ty Johnson went from sending emails to scoring TDs

Ty Johnson ran for a career-high 104 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in the New York Jets’ 31-28 loss to Las Vegas last Sunday

DECEMBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Trending toward return Coach Darrell Bevell said Swift (illness) is trending in the right direction to play Sunday against the Packers, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The 21-year-old was able to practice as a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday and appears on track to retake the field Week 14 after missing the past three games. However, Swift's participation at Friday's practice should determine whether he receives an injury designation for Sunday's contest.

DECEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Another limited session Swift (illness) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact Swift has now logged back-to-back limited practice to begin the week, an apparent indication that he has a fair chance to return from his three-game absence. With Kerryon Johnson (knee) having returned to practice in full and Adrian Peterson also healthy, though, the Lions have the luxury of quality backups to lean on if Swift isn't yet completely ready. Friday's practice will no doubt be key in determining the rookie's chances of suiting up for Sunday's game against the Packers.

DECEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in return to practice Swift (illness) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact Swift missed two straight practices due to a non-COVID-19-related illness before being ruled out for last weekend's game against the Bears, so it's significant to see him now handling even limited reps. The rookie second-round pick appears to be trending in the right direction for Sunday's contest against the Packers after a three-game hiatus, but with Kerryon Johnson (knee) also currently limited, Adrian Peterson and Jonathan Williams are the Lions' only fully healthy running backs to begin the week.

DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Back at practice Swift (illness) will participate in Wednesday's practice, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Impact Swift has missed three straight games, two due to a concussion and one due to a non-COVID-19-related illness. He failed to practice in either of the Lions' final two sessions of Week 13, so the fact that he's on the field in any fashion to begin Week 14 prep is a positive sign. The migraines the running back experienced in the aftermath of sustaining his concussion have reportedly subsided, so he looks to be trending to a return to the lineup Sunday against the Packers.

DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lions feeling good about themselves after big win for Bevell

No matter what happens for the rest of his tenure as Detroit’s interim coach, Darrell Bevell has a memory he can treasure

DECEMBER 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Missing third straight game Swift (illness) is listed as inactive Sunday at Chicago.

Impact Swift was cleared of his concussion this week, but a non-COVID-19-related illness proceeded to threaten his Week 13 availability. Indeed, he'll miss a third game in a row, leaving the backfield in the hands of Kerryon Johnson, Adrian Peterson and (to a lesser extent) Jonathan Williams (hip).

DECEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Downgraded to doubtful The Lions have deemed Swift (illness) as doubtful for Sunday's game in Chicago, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact While Swift was able to clear concussion protocol earlier in the week, he proceeded to miss the final two practices due to a non-COVID-19-related illness. He was already expected to have a decreased role if given the green light, but the Lions appear to be trending toward erring on the side of caution. The rookie has not played since Week 10 -- assuming he ultimately gets ruled out, look for Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson to handle most of the work out of the backfield.

DECEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Downgraded to doubtful The Lions have deemed Swift (illness) as doubtful for Sunday's game in Chicago, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact While Swift was able to clear concussion protocol earlier in the week, he proceeded to miss the final two practices due to a non-COVID-19-related illness. He was already expected to have a decreased role if given the green light, but the Lions appear to be trending toward erring on the side of caution. The rookie has not played since Week 10, and assuming he ultimately gets ruled out, look for Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson to handle most of the work out of the backfield.

DECEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Status in question for Sunday Swift (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Chicago, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact Swift cleared the concussion protocol as of Thursday, but he proceeded to miss the final two practices of the week due to a non-COVID-19-related illness. If he receives clearance to play Sunday for the first time since Week 10, interim coach Darrell Bevell told Justin Rogers of The Detroit News that Swift will have a "smaller, game-plan specific role." As a result, it'll be difficult to trust an active Swift after Adrian Peterson compiled 15 carries for 55 yards and two touchdowns against the Texans on Thanksgiving.

DECEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Still ill, missing practice again Lions interim head coach Darrell Bevell said that Swift (illness) won't participate in Friday's practice, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Impact Though Swift cleared the concussion protocol Thursday, he won't be present at practice for the second day in a row while he tends to a non-COVID-related illness. Because Swift hasn't put in a full practice since Nov. 18, Bevell acknowledged that even if the rookie is cleared to suit up Sunday against the Bears, he'll be in store for a smaller, game plan-specific role, per Justin Rogers of The Detroit News. The Lions will give Swift an official designation for the Week 13 matchup shortly after Friday's practice concludes.

DECEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Recovers from concussion, but falls ill Swift cleared the NFL's concussion protocol Thursday, but he didn't participate in the Lions' practice session while tending to a non-COVID-19-related illness, Tim Twentyman of the...

Impact According to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com, teammate Adrian Peterson relayed earlier Thursday that Swift has lacked his usual energy since being diagnosed with the brain injury Nov. 19, but the rookie nonetheless finds himself out of the protocol after an independent neurologist gave him full medical clearance. Even so, Swift still took a step back in terms of activity, as he had been a limited participant Wednesday before the unspecified illness resulted in him sitting out Thursday's session entirely. Because he hasn't practiced fully in more than two weeks, Swift may need to turn in restriction-free workout Friday to avoid carrying a designation into Sunday's game in Chicago.

DECEMBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE