Lions running back D’Andre Swift added a shoulder issue to his injury list on Sunday, and he may miss some time.
D’Andre Swift suited up for a second straight game with an ankle injury that limited his practice participation on Sunday, and his workload was limited again (32 snaps, 10 touches). He also added a shoulder injury to his injury docket, and Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press noted his visible limitations post-game.
D’Andre Swift wasn’t using his left arm much in the locker room after the game, looked like he might have got treatment on his shoulder. And Josh Reynolds suffered a low ankle sprain. Lions offense can be really good, but also dealing with lots of injuries right now
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 25, 2022
Swift was surely in line for further testing on that shoulder Monday morning, and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the Lions’ third-year running back suffered a shoulder sprain and “could miss some time.”
#Lions RB D’Andre Swift suffered a shoulder sprain in Sunday’s loss to the #Vikings, per source. It’s not expected to require surgery. But Swift could miss some time.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 26, 2022
Swift not being expected to need surgery is the good news. He also appeared to come back into the game with then to-be-determined shoulder issue, answering the strained challenge from running backs coach Duce Staley to “play through minor stuff.”
Swift also told Kyle Meinke of MLive he re-injured his ankle injury against the Vikings.
Swift’s ankle was going to be a thing until he could get some rest for it, likely not until the Lions’ Week 6 bye. Now this shoulder issue will apparently be the primary injury that costs him time.
The Lions can cover for D’Andre Swift’s absence
In Swift’s stead on Sunday, Jamaal Williams had a solid performance (20 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns; two catches for 20 yards). Craig Reynolds also had six carries and reception against the Vikings, and he showed he was capable of thriving in a bigger role when pressed into duty last year.
So the Lions are in solid shape to fill a void left by Swift’s absence, if he misses time of course. Justin Jackson could also step into an offensive role beyond strictly special teams, which he showed he can do capably when he was with the Chargers. Second-year man Jermar Jefferson is also on the practice squad.
Swift had durability concerns entering the season. Unfortunately he didn’t make it through September without suffering two injuries that are a step or two (or more) beyond minor.