Expectations were high for the Lions’ offense this season, in part due to the team’s investments at receiver but also the presence of running back D’Andre Swift. The 23-year-old has once again battled injuries this year, though, leading to a notable shortage of touches. 
Swift picked up an ankle injury early in the campaign, but a shoulder sprain led the team to keep him sidelined for the two weeks leading into their bye. The decision was aimed at getting him back to full health in time for Week 7, but he did not return to action until the following game. The Georgia product had availability concerns based on his first two seasons in the league, having missed three games as a rookie and another four in 2021.
Detroit strictly limited Swift’s workload upon his return, giving him just nine carries across two games. That figure was expected to increase slightly during today’s game against the Bears, as detailed by team reporter Tim Twentyman earlier in the week. That came amidst the team seeking to exercise caution with the former second-rounder, of course, but also a growing sense of frustration on the player’s part with his usage.
“I think he got pissed off a little bit,” Lions OC Ben Johnson said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, in the wake of Swift only seeing the field for just 10 snaps against the Packers in Week 9. “But that’s good,” he added. “That means he’s going the right direction for us.”
During today’s comeback win against the Bears, Swift received six carries – ranking a distant second to veteran Jamaal Williams‘ 16 – adding one catch on three targets. While he was able to find the endzone in the fourth quarter, it was Williams who scored the game-winning touchdown in the closing minutes. That will no doubt leave the shared workload between the two a topic of conversation moving forward.
The Lions are still without receivers DJ Chark and Jameson Wiliams, and traded away tight end T.J. Hockenson at the deadline. That would point to a ground-heavy attack, but Johnson cautioned that Swift’s ongoing workload limits are a sign that he is still not fully healthy. With both he and Williams available (at least to varying degrees), 3-6 Detroit will visit the 7-2 Giants next week.
Swift may thank them if he returns fully healthy. Even if he does not end up playing for this staff due to their replacement or an eventual parting of ways, Swift is being allowed proper time to heal and return to full functionality of the team is to be believed. Not every team or staff would do such a thing, and the Lions are looking to the future in a lost season. They and others don’t always do that-again, if Swift’s usage is truly related to his health.
“The Lions are looking to the future in a lost season” could be the official motto of this team. They’ve been trapped in a causality loop since 1958.
Thank you for the same comment on every single Lions article.
The “same ol Lions” line will be a thing of the past in a few short years… the current leadership has nothing to do with past performance… Brad Holmes, Dan Campbell and their staffs ARE turning things around… 2 years from now they will become a playoff team
Doubt that. Lions are perennial losers always have been. Of Sanders, Megatron and Stafford, 2 retired early and the latter requested a trade.
No, they haven’t but whatever you think.
You don’t think both Sanders and Johnson retired early? Sanders played 10 seasons and Johnson played for 9. Not bad if you’re a middling performer or habitually injured, but they weren’t.
Stafford played for 4 coaches in his 12 seasons in Detroit. Including the 2 disastrous year of Quinn/Patricia running things into the ground. Do you think Stafford was excited at the prospect of starting over again or was he more excited at the prospect of getting out of town?
Spit the Kool-Aid out!
Are you done? That’s quite the presumptuous diatribe regarding something I wasn’t even referring to, but you do you. Reading comprehension is overrated anyway.
Swift should be thankful he’s not ex-Lion Kenny Golladay, he of the $72M free agent contract from the Giants with zero TDs to show for it. Golladay dropped 2 passes in the 1st half today and was booed hard after each drop. Didn’t see the field in the 2nd half.
Golladay is getting $72M while Swift isn’t. Golladay is on a playoff bound team while Swift isn’t. Swift should be thankful? I’m having trouble following the logic there.
Detroit won at Chicago on Sunday — the Lions overcame another hero-ball game by Fields — and Swift moans about lack of playing time. Which is worse, contributing in Detroit or getting booed for not contributing in New York?
Perhaps I’m wrong but wasn’t the article about Swift being frustrated at not being given a chance to contribute?
Which would you rather do, contribute a couple plays on Sunday or win the lottery? I’d choose the latter every time.
No one mourns Golladay. The Giants are overperforming during a season of many underperformers (Rams, Packers, Bucs, Saints) in the NFC.
I think everyone knew the Giants would be much better once Gettleman was gone.
Headline says that Deandre is frustrated with his usage. Evidence? That one of his coaches said “I THINK he’s pissed off.” Somehow this gets translated to Deandre Swift is upset with the Lions. What??? The coach’s quote didn’t even say who Deandre was “pissed off” at. It could have been himself for not recovering from injury faster. I don’t see how this quote translates to this headline/article.
And yet with this we now have 14 comments on the subject and semi-related jibberish.
Those sweet, sweet clicks just keep coming!
I love the double standards. Elijah Moore complains he wants to contribute more despite the Jets winning and you call him a selfish diva. Swift complains he wants to contribute more despite the Lions winning and you same people sympathize with him.