Lions final injury report: Swift, Golladay out; Stafford questionable

The Detroit Lions will be without their starting running back on Sunday

When the 4-5 Detroit Lions take on the 3-7 Carolina Panthers this Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina, both teams will be without their starting running backs. That according to the final injury reports released on Friday.

For Detroit, they will be without the services of rookie running back D’Andre Swift in Week 11. The Lions’ second-rounder missed practice sessions on both Thursday and Friday with a concussion.

Swift was only recently named the starter over veteran Adrian Peterson. The 21-year old made his first NFL start last Sunday against the Washington Football Team and carried the ball 16 times for 81 yards. Swift also had five receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. He played 73% of the offensive snaps.

Peterson should resume his role as Detroit’s starter in Swift’s absence, as he’s was the primary running back before the rookie’s recent promotion. Kerryon Johnson should slot behind Peterson as his relief.

As for the Panthers, they will also be without their starting running back, Christian McCaffrey. The two-time All-Pro is struggling with a shoulder injury (AC Joint sprain) and has played a total of only three games all season. Running back Mike Davis has gotten eight starts in McCaffrey’s absence and should get the bulk of the carries against Detroit.

Both the Lions and the Panthers have injury concerns at the quarterback position as well. Detroit’s veteran passer, Matthew Stafford, suffered a thumb injury early into last week’s game against Washington. Stafford was able to play the rest of the contest despite it.

Stafford is officially listed as questionable for the game against the Panthers. Although Lions’ quarterbacks coach, Sean Ryan, told MLive’s Kyle Meinke that he hasn’t seen any real issues with Stafford’s ability to throw the ball this week despite the partially torn ligament in his thumb.

Panthers’ starting quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, is officially questionable for the matchup against the Lions as well. Bridgewater suffered a knee injury last week in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He’ll be a game-time decision. If Bridgewater is unable to play, either P.J. Walker or Will Grier will start instead.

The Lions had 14 players end up on Friday’s final injury report. The three players who are already ruled out for the game in Carolina include Swift and wide receivers Danny Amendola (hip) and Kenny Golladay (hip).

Besides Matthew Stafford, five other Detroit Lions are considered questionable for Sunday’s matchup in Carolina. They include defensive end Austin Bryant (thigh), linebacker Jarrad Davis (knee), defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (groin) safety Will Harris (groin), and offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (foot).