D'ANDRE SWIFT NEWS

Talent show: Rookie class shines despite virus limitations

If ever there were a season in the NFL when newcomers could be forgiven for a lack of progress, this virus-altered year would be it

NOVEMBER 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Racks up 16 touches in Week 9 Swift carried the ball 13 times for 64 yards in Week 9 against the Vikings. He added three receptions for 33 yards.

Impact Swift accounted for 13 of the team's 27 total rushing attempts, his second-highest total of the season. He was fairly effective, racking up two carries of more than 15 yards. Swift also remained effective as a receiver, recording a 19-yard reception on the team's first drive of the fourth quarter. He came close to 100 total yards for the second time in his career and appears poised to continue to increase his role in the backfield as the season wears on. Swift's next opportunity to take the field will come in Week 10 against Washington.

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lions took step backward in listless loss to Colts

Two wins brought Matt Patricia and the Detroit Lions a bit of a reprieve

NOVEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Leonard's return adds 'juice' to Colts improved defense

Pro Bowl linebacker Darius Leonard couldn't wait to get back on the field

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Colts stuff Detroit running game in 41-21 win over Lions

Detroit’s early offensive struggles had the Lions playing from behind the entire second half of their 41-21 loss to Indianapolis

NOVEMBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shut down by Colts Swift carried six times for one yard while catching three of four targets for 22 yards during Sunday's 41-21 loss to Indianapolis.

Impact Despite somehow leading the team with six carries, Swift finished fourth in rushing yards against a tough Colts defense that entered the game allowing the fourth-fewest yards per rush attempt (3.5). While it's worth noting that Kerryon Johnson stole a receiving score, Swift's obvious struggles in pass protection suggest the rookie could see a downturn in passing-game work or even land in coach Matt Patricia's dog house. Swift at least has some upside in Week 9 against a Vikings defense allowing the third-most points per game (32.0) in 2020.

NOVEMBER 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Surging Lions face a tougher test against rested Colts

The Detroit Lions have changed the conversation about their team by beating bad teams including the one-win Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars

OCTOBER 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scores for third time in two weeks Swift registered 27 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries, adding four receptions for 21 yards during Sunday's 23-22 win against the Falcons.

Impact Though Swift skated to an 8.3 yards-per-carry average with two rushing scores last week in a drubbing of the Jaguars, future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson still handled over 50 percent of the RB carries during Week 7. Swift has been consistently garnering more involvement in the passing game, out-targeting his veteran mentor by a 5-1 tally Sunday, though it appears Detroit is committed to working in Peterson as a key part of the ground game. The upcoming Week 8 matchup against Indianapolis is prohibitive for Lions back in general, as the Colts are allowing a 3.5 yards-per-carry average to opposing backs this season with only three rushing scores surrendered.

OCTOBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Role likely to expand Week 7 Swift is expected to see an expanded role for the Lions in Sunday's game against the Falcons, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact While Rapoport notes that Adrian Peterson will continue to serve as the Lions' starting running back, the veteran could cede more snaps and carries to Swift on the heels of the rookie's breakout performance Week 6 versus the Jaguars. Peterson had already been regularly subbing out on passing downs in favor of Swift, but the latter likely earned himself more work on the ground after rushing 14 times for 116 yards and two scores in the win over Jacksonville. The Lions may not have the luxury of playing ahead in Week 7 like they did for most of Week 6, but Swift's prowess as a pass catcher still gives him another path to providing fantasy value if he doesn't earn double-digit carries again Sunday.

OCTOBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lions held a lead and looked sharp on defense

The Detroit Lions looked recharged after their open date, and on Sunday they did exactly what they needed to against a struggling Jacksonville team

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jaguars' D reaches new low with another 30-point day

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a new benchmark for bad defense

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Breakout performance Swift carried the ball 14 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns in Week 6 against the Jaguars. He added three receptions for seven yards.

Impact Swift posted his best game as a professional, as he saw his involvement in the offense spike significantly following the team's bye in Week 5. Entering the game, Swift had seen no more than five carries and 10 total touches in any contest. However, he took advantage of the increased opportunity, breaking off a 54-yard run -- the team's longest offensive play of the day -- while also finding the end zone twice from near the goal line. Adrian Peterson still earned 15 touches, though it's difficult to envision coach Matt Patricia turning away from Swift after this strong performance. The Lions will draw another manageable matchup in Week 7 against the Falcons.

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Catches TD in loss Swift rushed four times for 22 yards and caught all four of his targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 35-29 loss to the Saints.

Impact Swift capped the opening drive with a seven-yard touchdown, giving the rookie one touchdown through the air and one on the ground through four games. His four carries ranked second on the team behind Adrian Peterson's 11, which Peterson turned into 36 yards and a touchdown. Swift's superior receiving skills are useful on a Lions team that's often playing catch-up, and his development should benefit from the team's early Week 5 bye.

OCTOBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lions activate safety Jayron Kearse after 3-game suspension

The Detroit Lions activated safety Jayron Kearse after he served a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on substance abuse

OCTOBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

QBs Costello, Trask set pace with big numbers in SEC openers

Southeastern Conference fans expecting defenses to be ahead of offenses could not have been prepared for the big passing games from Mississippi State’s K

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Small role in Week 3 win Swift did not log a carry but caught one of two targets for 19 yards during Sunday's 26-23 victory over Arizona.

Impact After seeing 34 offensive snaps Week 1 and 20 in Week 2, Swift was used on just six offensive snaps Sunday while Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson logged 40 and 20, respectively. Against a Cardinals team that ran a hefty 159 total offensive snaps during the first two weeks of the season, Lions head coach Matt Patricia suggested after the game that the backfield playing time was determined by Detroit's goal to "control the clock," according to Chris Burke of the Athletic. As it appears Swift is neither Detroit's first or second option when they want to do so, the rookie may be hard to trust in games when the Lions are expected to try to dominate the time of possession.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Five carries, five catches in loss Swift rushed five times for 12 yards and caught all five of his targets for 60 yards in Sunday's 42-21 loss to the Packers.

Impact Swift appears to be the receiving back of choice in Detroit's three-man backfield rotation, as Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson combined for 15 carries but only one target. Game script dictated plenty of second-half usage for Swift with the Lions trailing, and he came up just two receiving yards short of T.J. Hockenson's team-leading total. The Lions will be underdogs in Arizona in Week 3, so Swift projects to be Detroit's most fantasy-friendly running back option in that one.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Fourth-quarter woes costly for Lions again in loss to Bears

Matt Patricia’s tenure in Detroit has been marked by fourth-quarter collapses

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scores in professional debut Swift rushed three times for eight yards and one touchdown while catching three of five targets for 15 yards during Sunday's 27-23 loss to Chicago.

Impact Even though Kerryon Johnson got the start and Adrian Peterson more than doubled the number of carries that Swift and Johnson had combined, it was Swift who easily led the Lions backfield in snaps. He could have been the hero, too, if not for letting the game-winning touchdown pass slip through his hands in the closing seconds of the game. Regardless, the amount of playing time Swift saw should be a good sign for his rookie-year workload going forward. Next up is a road matchup in Week 2 against Green Bay.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Dull 'Dagger': Another collapse costs Lions their opener

If the Detroit Lions’ first game was any indication, their “Dagger Time” mantra could use some sharpening

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Trubisky throws 3 TDs in 4th to help Bears beat Lions 27-23

Mitchell Trubisky lofted a 27-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass to Anthony Miller with 1:54 remaining and the Chicago Bears held on to beat the Detroit Lions 27-23

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cleared to play Swift (hip) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bears, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact Swift was limited at practice throughout the week before upgrading to full participation Friday. With that out of the way, it's his role rather than his health that's the big cause for concern, though the two arguably became intertwined when his hip injury caused a prolonged absence from training camp. In any case, Swift will be part of a backfield that also includes Kerryon Johnson and Adrian Peterson, potentially setting up as a three-man committee to start the year.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Puts forth limited practice Swift (hip) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact Though Swift's reps were capped on account of the hip injury for the second day in a row, coach Matt Patricia hasn't suggested the rookie is in any real danger of missing Sunday's season opener versus the Bears. If available, Swift will likely be part of a timeshare in the backfield that includes Kerryon Johnson, Adrian Peterson and potentially second-year man Ty Johnson.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited with hip injury Swift (hip) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Swift has been hampered by injury since mid-August, but until now the issue's details had been undisclosed. The rookie running back's status for Sunday's season opener against the Bears looks up in the air, though he'll have two more chances to increase his participation in practice. With Adrian Peterson having joined Detroit's backfield over the weekend, even if Swift does manage to suit up Week 1 he could find himself entrenched in a committee.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Joined by AP in backfield Swift (undisclosed) is facing additional backfield competition for reps from Adrian Peterson, who signed a one-year contract with the Lions on Sunday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com...

Impact Swift and Kerryon Johnson are still expected to handle a bulk of the workload to begin the season, but Peterson has commanded carries at every stop during his 13-year career, so he'll cut into their touches to some degree. It doesn't help that Swift has missed so many practices with an undisclosed injury, but once he's healthy, the rookie second-round pick is expected to pull away as the lead back. He's clearly the most dynamic of the bunch and has impressed with his pass-catching ability early in camp. Peterson can't compete with Swift in the latter, so he should be considered a dependable, veteran backup that may chip away at Swift's ceiling but leaves a consistent workload for the rookie.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE