Dan Campbell naturally ‘hopeful’ to give D’Andre Swift more work this week

D’Andre Swift had a reduced role against the Packers on Sunday, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell is hopeful the ante can be upped immediately.

After Dan Campbell’s comments last week, it was no surprise Lions running back D’Andre Swift was lined up for a limited role against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Just how limited was the question.

After playing 33 snaps in his return to action against the Dolphins in Week 8, Swift played just 10 snaps on Sunday. He made the most of that limited action though, with 50 total yards (40 receiving yards) on five touches (three catches, on four targets). He landed at the one-yard line on one catch, frustrating all his fantasy managers who started him when he didn’t a subsequent chance to score.

Swift is still battling the ankle and shoulder issues which cost him three games. His workload will be careful managed, but there’s definitely a point where there’s not much difference between playing him 10 snaps and letting him take another game off to hopefully fully heal.

The restraints have to come off to some degree, or Swift should just sit out a game. Based on sentiment from the Detroit News’ Nolan Bianchi, Swift wanted to get on the field. So much for having how he feels play a role in his playing time.

Dan Campbell hopes to up D’Andre Swift’s workload this week

During his Monday press conference, Campbell addressed the situation with Swift.

It’s worth noting Swift took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Packers’ linebacker Krys Barnes after a fourth quarter reception. But he was not removed from the field by game officials, and there does not appear to be any concern about a head injury to go with his other ailments.

The plan all-along was for Swift to have a limited role against the Packers, but it feels like 10 snaps was the targeted number. Managing how he got there was an order, with four of his five touches coming in the first half, and exceeding it by even one solitary snap was apparently not an option.

Starting next Sunday, the Lions play three games in a 12-day span. So it’s genuinely worth wondering how Swift’s workload will be managed from here through Thanksgiving Day against the Buffalo Bills.

Swift’s workload can’t drop further from what it was on Sunday. If upping his workload as this coming week goes on somehow becomes unpalatable, then he should just be held out next Sunday against the Chicago Bears.