Lions running back D’Andre Swift, not surprisingly, likely out vs. Patriots

It’s not a surprise, but Lions running back D’Andre Swift is in line to miss a second straight game Sunday against the New England Patriots.

When he added a shoulder ailment to an ankle injury he was playing on, the Lions holding running back D’Andre Swift through the Week 6 bye felt like a good plan. After missing last week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has reported Swift is indeed likely to be out Sunday against the New England Patriots.

Via Fowler’s report:

"The #Lions will likely be without RB D’Andre Swift (shoulder) for this week’s game against the Patriots, per source. Plan is still for him to return after the bye (Week 7), barring unforeseen development."

Swift has 231 yards on 27 carries in three games this season, good for a robust (and obvious career-best) 8.6 yards per carry. In Week 2 against Washington, he became the first Lions’ player since Barry Sanders (who else?) in 1997 to have a 50-plus yard run in back-to-back games.

Having D’Andre Swift as healthy as possible a priority for the Lions

Swift’s ankle injury was sure to be a thing until he was able to rest it over the bye week. The shoulder issue made it impossible for him to keep playing, and he said he also aggravated his ankle injury in Week 3 against the Vikings.

The Lions will lean on Jamaal Williams as their lead back for another week this week. He is leading the league with six rushing touchdowns, with two rushing scores in each of the last two games and 195 yards on 39 carries over those two games.

The Lions are in a good position to make sure Swift is healthy as possible and not have a major drop-off in his absence, with the benefit of the early bye to facilitate getting him healthy. Williams role won’t go totally away when Swift is back, and the Lions will again have one of the better  backfield duos in the league.