The news is optimistic on the injury status of D’Andre Swift, but is Lions’ running back Jamaal Williams still a must-add in fantasy football heading into Week 13?
The Detroit Lions lost again on Thanksgiving Day to drop to 0-10-1, and on top of that running back D’Andre Swift suffered a shoulder injury and did not return to the game. In his place Jamaal Williams stepped into the lead back role and had 83 total yards (65 rushing) on 20 touches (five receptions) against the Chicago Bears.
The news on Swift is about as good as possible, as he’s considered day-to-day with a shoulder sprain. So he may not miss any games, with extra time ahead of a Week 13 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Williams split snaps with Swift before the latter exited the game, then Williams dominated the backfield touches for Detroit after Swift was injured.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Jamaal Williams a Week 13 must-add?
Swift might not miss any games with his injury, and if he’s active his fantasy managers have to start him. But Williams has been solid when’s he’s had opportunities and been healthy (two missed games this season). So while/if Swift is less than full strength, a closer snap split than we’ve seen could happen.
Heading into Week 13, there are two regular season weeks left in most fantasy football leagues. In approaching the waiver wire, that means trimming roster fat and honing in on more specific value or potential. Here’s a look at how the Lions’ upcoming opponents rank against running backs entering Week 12 (Yahoo! 0.5-point PPR).
Week 13 vs. Minnesota Vikings-11th most
Week 14 at Denver Broncos-9th fewest
Week 15 vs. Arizona Cardinals-7th fewest
Week 16 at Atlanta Falcons-4th most
Week 17 at Seattle Seahawks-2nd most
It’s easy to forget, but Williams finished at or near RB3 range (top-36) in each of his last two seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2019 and 2020). So in a bigger role, there’s potential here.
Swift’s fantasy managers should consider Williams a virtual must-add off the waiver wire heading toward Week 13. Better he use up a roster spot than an extra running back that’ll never be used, or an extra somewhere else that is just taking up space on the roster with no chance to be in a lineup as the biggest weeks of the season come.
For fantasy managers who don’t have Swift, it’s worth checking on Williams’ availability (39 percent owned on Yahoo!, 46.1 percent owned on ESPN). Those that had him and hung onto him through the teeth of bye weeks, he’s a strong hold now–if you run into a roster crunch from here on out, there’s probably someone else with less value you can cut to accomodate.
D’Andre Swift injury brings potential opportunity for Jamaal Williams
D'Andre Swift may miss time with a shoulder injury, so Jamaal Williams has potential opportunity in front of him in the Lions' backfield.