After returning to a somewhat limited role in Week 8, Lions head coach Dan Campbell suggested running back D’Andre Swift’s workload needs to be re-assessed.
D’Andre Swift was back in action for the Detroit Lions in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins. That was obviously good, but he only produced 33 total yards on 10 touches (five catches)–albeit with a receiving touchdown.
After not playing since Week 3, Swift saw more snaps than Jamaal Williams against the Dolphins (33 to 22). So in one sense his workload was rather large, even if the production was not earth-shattering.
On Monday, Swift confirmed he is still experiencing soreness in his injured ankle and shoulder. He also expressed optimism his workload would grow moving forward as he got healthier. That he’s not pretty much fully healthy after not playing for a month is certainly concerning, and even though he was optimistic it’s interesting how Swift openly acknowledged it the way he did.
Head coach Dan Campbell made his regular appearance on 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday morning. He went a bit further in regard to Swift.
Dan Campbell talks about D’Andre Swift’s usage vs. Dolphins
"We probably gave Swift one too many carries,” Campbell said Tuesday on the Stoney & Jansen Show. “We love Swift, I’m glad he’s out there, but he’s not back. He’s giving us what he has but it’s just not – so maybe give another one of those carries to Jamaal (Williams). These are things you go through and you learn and figure out what you can do better.”"
On the last of his five carries Sunday, Swift lost two yards on the Lions’ final drive when he couldn’t get to the edge. They eventually turned it over on downs.
Asked if the Lions would be better off limiting Swift’s role, or even giving him another week off to heal, here’s what Campbell said.
"Those are things we talk about.”We’re in constant communication with Swifty. He’s out there and he wanted to give it a go and we appreciate that, but we always have to gauge that,” he said. “We’ll see where he’s at this week. That’s something that we’ve thought about."
Swift last had a full workload in Week 1 against the Eagles, when he had 15 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown with three catches for 31 yards. He also suffered his ankle injury in that game, and he has 17 carries in the three game he has played since.
Campbell, however obviously with everything else he said, said Swift will continue to be monitored over the rest of the season for his readiness to see more work on a week-to-week basis. How much more his work can be limited is unclear, lest he become strictly a pass-catching back with a stray carry or two when Williams needs a breather.