D'ANDRE SWIFT NEWS

Former Georgia star, NFL RB Lars Tate dies of cancer at 56

Former Georgia running back great Lars Tate has died at the age of 56

AUGUST 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Coach expresses workload concerns Head coach Dan Campbell expressed concern with Swift holding up under a large workload, Jeff Risdon of USA Today reports. "[Swift]'s got that ability, and so my gosh man, you want...

Impact Swift has missed time due to shoulder and groin injuries in both college and the pros, most recently missing part of last summer's training camp with a strained groin before sustaining an AC joint injury Week 12. This led the third-year running back to miss multiple games for a second consecutive season. While optimists can point to reports of Swift having bulked up over the offseason as reason to think his injury luck could improve, his head coach nonetheless is warranted in his concern about putting too heavy of a workload on his 5-foot-9 running back. With Jamaal Williams -- who saw double-digit touches in 11 of 13 games last year -- around for another year, the Lions have a quality veteran option that can help them avoid doing just that, but Swift is the unquestioned No. 1.

AUGUST 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift is bigger, stronger and healthier

D’Andre Swift, who was injured in the past two seasons, is healthy now and expected to be a big part of the Lions' offense.

JULY 30, 2022

Lions RB D'Andre Swift is bigger, stronger and healthier

The Detroit Lions have challenged running back D’Andre Swift to fight through the bumps and bruises and play through all 17 games in 2022

JULY 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

NFL odds: Bettors back surprising team to win Super Bowl, COY

A team that last won a playoff game in 1991 is getting lots of betting action and love to win the Super Bowl and Coach of the Year award.

JULY 25, 2022

Appears to have bulked up Swift has shown a more muscular physique upon reporting for OTAs this spring, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact The report is merely based on visual observations made by Twentyman, but any added muscle could probably be considered a positive sign for a 5-foot-9 running back who has missed at least three games in both of his first two professional seasons. While it's not fair to consider Swift "injury prone" this soon into his career, it's possible that his fantasy value could be higher heading into 2022 if he hadn't been slowed down by head and shoulder injuries in consecutive years. After all, when not counting the games in which Swift was limited by injury in 2021, his 97.5 scrimmage yards per game would have ranked eighth among all running backs.

JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scores once Swift ran for 30 yards and one touchdown on seven carries and caught four passes for 16 yards on five targets against Green Bay on Sunday.

Impact Swift again saw a limited workload from scrimmage as Jamaal Williams saw 13 carries and Craig Reynolds took three. Williams produced 43 yards and Reynolds two, reinforcing the fact that Swift is clearly Detroit's best running back from scrimmage. What's less clear is whether Swift's workload was limited because the low stakes of Detroit's final two games, or if the Lions will try to follow a general policy of limiting Swift's workload for durability reasons going forward. Swift is an explosive runner and skilled pass catcher, so his fantasy upside could be enormous with enough of a workload, but going back to his Georgia days Swift hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy as a workhorse back. He finishes his second season with 617 yards (4.1 YPC) and five touchdowns on the ground while catching 62 passes for 452 yards and two touchdowns on 78 targets (79.5 percent caught, 5.8 yards per target).

JANUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Minimal activity Swift ran for 32 yards on four carries and caught two passes for seven yards on three targets against Seattle on Sunday.

Impact The Lions indicated that Swift was at full strength for this game, so his light usage behind Jamaal Williams (11 carries for 22 yards and one touchdown, three catches for 22 yards on three targets) was surprising if not dubious. Perhaps coach Dan Campbell wanted to limit Swift's exposure to contact in a meaningless game, or perhaps he was making a You Can't Make The Club In The Tub kind of point to Swift, who missed the prior four games with a shoulder injury, but Swift's fantasy investors are entitled to some level of indignation either way. Regardless of whatever reason Campbell might have had for Swift's lack of usage Sunday, it's safe to say that the Lions offense did not benefit from Swift's lack of touches. Detroit faces Green Bay in Week 18.

JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

No designation for Week 17 Swift (shoulder) will make his return to the lineup Sunday in Seattle, as he doesn't carry an injury designation into the contest.

Impact Earlier in the season, the Lions regularly listed Swift as questionable heading into game days, even though he often appeared at little risk of actually sitting out. After missing each of the previous four games while recovering from an AC joint sprain in his shoulder, Swift's lack of a designation is somewhat surprising given the previous pattern, but it's perhaps a reflection of the Lions' confidence in his health following a month-long layoff. Swift was a full participant in practice all week, and running backs coach Duce Staley suggested Friday the Lions don't intend to take a conservative approach with him, according to Justin Rogers of The Detroit News. Fantasy managers who have been waiting patiently on Swift's return shouldn't count on him approaching the season-high 33 carries he earned Week 10 against Pittsburgh, but he looks like a good bet to at least get double-digit touches.

JANUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Puts in full practice Wednesday Swift (shoulder) practiced fully Wednesday.

Impact Swift appears to be closing in on putting an end to a four-game absence, the result of an AC joint sprain in his shoulder. Coach Dan Quinn even hinted as much Wednesday, telling Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that he expects Swift to return Sunday at Seattle. With a full practice under his belt to begin Week 17 prep, Swift is well on his way to doing just that. How the snaps and reps will break down between him, Jamaal Williams and even Craig Reynolds remains to be seen, but in the 10 contests before Swift suffered the injury he averaged 19 touches per game.

DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Expected back this week Swift (shoulder) is expected back for Sunday's game in Seattle, with Lions coach Dan Campbell joking that the running back will be "shut down" after Week 18, Dave Birkett of the De...

Impact Campbell is poking fun at reports that suggested Swift might be held out for the final few games even if he was healthy enough to play. He may still need to prove it on the practice field this week, but the Lions apparently are optimistic after Swift managed limited practice last Wednesday through Friday (though he didn't end up playing in Sunday's loss to Atlanta). His return for the final two weeks would mean less work for Jamaal Williams and Craig Reynolds, even if Swift's role isn't quite the same as earlier in the year.

DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Missing fourth straight game Swift (shoulder) is inactive for Sunday's game at Atlanta.

Impact Despite not being ruled out ahead of this contest, Swift will remain sidelined as he continues the later stages of his recovery from an AC joint sprain in his shoulder. That leaves the Lions backfield to Jamaal Williams and Craig Reynolds. Williams is coming off a two-game absence himself following a bout with COVID-19, which allowed Reynolds to serve as the lead back to the tune of 40 touches for 216 yards from scrimmage. In any case, the pair figure to be the team's key RBs in some way, shape and form.

DECEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Chance to play Week 16 The Lions list Swift (shoulder) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Impact For the first time since suffering an AC joint sprain of his shoulder in the Lions' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Bears, Swift won't be ruled out ahead of the weekend, as he was prior to each of the Lions' last three games. Swift earned the questionable designation after he was a limited participant in practices Wednesday through Friday, a development that gives him a shot to play Sunday. Even if the Lions clear him to start in advance of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Swift could be in store for a lighter workload than he enjoyed in previous weeks, given that he's making his way back from injury in addition to the fact that Craig Reynolds has impressed the past two weeks while serving as Detroit's lead back. Jamaal Williams is also back from a two-game stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list, leaving the Detroit backfield more crowded compared to when Swift first sustained the injury.

DECEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Limited again in practice Swift (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Impact Swift wasn't able to increase his activity from Wednesday, but the fact that he was on the practice field in some capacity for the second day in a row is a positive sign following three weeks of no participation at all. Because of Swift's long layoff, the Lions may want to see him turn in a full practice before clearing him for game action, leaving his availability for Sunday's game in Atlanta up in the air at the moment. Whenever he's deemed ready to play, Swift could take on a lighter workload than he previously enjoyed as the 2-11-1 Lions look to preserve him with little on the line over the final three games of the season.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons want first true home win as Lions eye first road W

Arthur Smith is running out of time to collect his first true home win in his debut season as the Atlanta Falcons coach

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Limited in return to practice Swift (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Impact This marks Swift's first on-field work since suffering an AC joint sprain in his shoulder during a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Bears. He'll have two more sessions this week to prove his health before the Lions potentially make a determination on his availability for Sunday's game in Atlanta. If Swift does enough to receive clearance the play, Detroit could have a sudden logjam in the backfield, as Jamaal Williams wrested himself from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday and Craig Reynolds has fared well as the lead running back the past two contests.

DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Back at practice Wednesday Swift (shoulder) returned to practice Wednesday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact Swift was knocked out the Lions' Thanksgiving matchup with he Bears with what eventually was deemed to be an AC joint sprain in his shoulder. He missed the past three games as a result of the injury, and Wednesday's development marked his first notable on-field work since then. It's unclear if Swift will do enough this week to put himself in a position to play Sunday in Atlanta, but he seems as if he at least will be listed as limited on Detroit's first Week 16 practice report.

DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

NFL odds: How to bet Lions-Falcons, point spread, more

Check out the NFL odds on Lions vs. Falcons, from the point spread to the over/under and expert picks.

DECEMBER 21, 2021

Expected to practice this week Swift (shoulder) is expected to return to practice this week, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

Impact Coach Dan Campbell said Monday that Swift is still considered "week-to-week, day-to-day" due to his injury, but the team will likely have him test the issue during practice. Whether he's available for Sunday's game against Atlanta remains to be seen, but he appears to be trending in the right direction. If Swift remains out in Week 16, Jamaal Williams (illness) and Craig Reynolds could see additional playing time.

DECEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals lose chance to clinch, fall 30-12 to lowly Lions

Kyler Murray had a shaky performance and that helped the Detroit Lions stun the Arizona Cardinals 30-12 on Sunday

DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ruled out, no practice Swift (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Swift still hasn't practiced suffering an AC joint injury and now will miss a third straight game. With Jamaal Williams still on the reserve/COVID-19 list as of Friday afternoon, the Lions may again be left with Craig Reynolds, Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson as backfield options.

DECEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not in line to practice Swift (shoulder) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Impact Swift hasn't gotten back on the field in any capacity since suffering an AC joint sprain of his shoulder in the Lions' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Bears, so at this stage, he looks to be trending toward a third consecutive missed game this weekend against Arizona. Before deciding on Swift's status one way or the other, the Lions will see if he's able to fit in any activity during the team's final practice of the week Friday. With Jamaal Williams (illness) still stuck on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike are left as the Lions' healthy options at running back.

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to practice Wednesday Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he doesn't expect Swift (shoulder) to practice Wednesday.

Impact Tight end T.J. Hockenson (hand) is also expected to sit out Wednesday, with Campbell noting that the two injured skill-position players will "move around" in the Lions' first Week 15 practice session. With that in mind, Swift's status for Sunday's game against the Cardinals is to be determined, while fellow running back Jamaal Williams currently resides on reserve/COVID-19 list for the time being. Craig Reynolds, Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson are left as the healthy backs on the 53-man roster.

DECEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Could be back Week 15 Coach Dan Campbell said Monday he's "hopeful" Swift (shoulder) will be available for Sunday's matchup against Arizona.

Impact Swift said that both Swift and T.J. Hockenson (hand) are "feeling better" Monday. The young running back and tight end are Detroit's most impactful skill-position players, so it would provide a notable boost for Jared Goff to get both back on the field against Arizona's dangerous defense. Meanwhile, Jamaal William (illness) remains on the COVID-19 list to begin Tuesday.

DECEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Broncos honor Demaryius Thomas with 38-10 rout of the Lions

The Denver Broncos honored the late Demaryius Thomas with a 38-10 win over Detroit and tributes including a video montage and a moment of silence

DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS