D’Andre Swift

Latest On Eagles’ RB Situation

July 20th, 2023 at 2:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles will have a new running back group in 2023 after seeing Miles Sanders depart in free agency. A by-committee approach will be used, but some roster trimming will likely be necessary between now and Week 1.

Philadelphia will likely make one or more moves aimed at lowering the number of backs on the roster, as noted by Geoff Mosher of Inside the Birds. The top of the depth chart will feature newcomers D’Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny. The former was acquired via trade during the draft and is in line to operate as the team’s starter. The latter, signed in free agency, has shown lead-back abilities when on the field but struggled to remain healthy during his time with the Seahawks.

Aside from those two, Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott remain in place as returnees in the backfield. Gainwell, a 2021 fifth-round pick, has seen snap shares of just 29% and 28% during his first two seasons in the league, but he totaled 40 touches during the Eagles’ run to the Super Bowl, including a larger role than Sanders in the championship game. Scott has also served in a rotational capacity during his tenure in Philadelphia, one which began in 2018. The 28-year-old re-signed on a one-year contract in March.

That quartet represents plenty of experience and potential, but the Eagles also have Trey Sermon in the fold. A 49ers third-rounder in 2021, the Ohio State alum spent only one unproductive season in the Bay Area. San Francisco attempted to pass him through waivers during roster cutdowns last offseason, but the Eagles put in a claim. Sermon handled just two carries last season as a depth member of a crowded Philadelphia backfield.

That unit still has a logjam entering training camp, with 2022 UDFA Kennedy Brooks joining the aforementioned five backs in the summer competition. As Mosher notes, plenty will be determined in the coming weeks as (in all likelihood) Scott, Sermon and Brooks compete for as little as one roster spot behind Swift and Penny – who are pending free agents – and Gainwell, who has two years remaining on his rookie contract.

RB D’Andre Swift In Line To Start For Eagles

July 5th, 2023 at 2:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

The loss of Miles Sanders in free agency left a signficant vacancy in the Eagles’ backfield, one which is likely to see a by-committee approach in 2023. The newest member of the group is expected to operate as the starter.

D’Andre Swift is set to serve atop Philadelphia’s RB depth chart this season, as noted by Andrew DiCecco and Geoff Mosher of InsidetheBirds.com. That will allow the draft-day trade acquisition to showcase himself ahead of his first foray into free agency next March, while also giving the NFC champions a two-way contributor in the backfield.

The 24-year-old spent three years in Detroit, missing at least three games due to injury in each campaign. That hurt his value to the Lions, a team which used one of its first-round selections in this year’s draft on Jahmyr Gibbs. That decision led to speculation that Swift would be on his way out, and he was indeed dealt to the Eagles as part of a pick swap which cost Philadelphia a 2025 fourth-rounder.

The deal represented a homecoming for Swift, who is likely to contribute in the passing game more than Sanders did in recent years. The Georgia alum has made 156 receptions in his career, averaging 7.7 yards per catch. His efficiency through the air could be a key element in an Eagles offense which will look to reduce the hits quarterback Jalen Hurts took last season. A productive campaign from Swift in the ground game as well (where he has an average of 4.6 yards per carry) could increase the willingness the team already reportedly has in exploring an extension.

Of course, health will be a key factor in Swift’s play, along with that of fellow newcomer Rashaad Penny. The former Seahawk inked a one-year deal with the Eagles in the hopes of putting together a healthy season and thus boosting his value on a new pact in Philadelphia or elsewhere. Penny has been limited to 18 games over the past three seasons, so it remains to be seen how much he will be able to contribute to a backfield which also includes returnee Kenneth Gainwell and 2021 49ers third-rounder Trey Sermon.

How snaps are allotted during training camp and the preseason will be worth watching as the Eagles look to repeat the success Sanders in particular enjoyed in 2022. Provided Swift works with the first-team through the summer and into the fall, he will receive plenty of attention and expectations ahead of an important campaign for player and team.

Dolphins Inquired On RB D’Andre Swift

June 8th, 2023 at 8:42pm CST by Ben Levine

The Dolphins have been heavily connected to Dalvin Cook, but that wasn’t the first time the team considered bringing in an experienced running back. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (and via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques), Miami inquired about D’Andre Swift before the RB was traded from the Lions to the Eagles.

Swift’s production in Detroit didn’t match Cook’s Pro Bowl-caliber stats in Minnesota, and the 24-year-old certainly wouldn’t match the upside of the soon-to-be free agent. Still, the running back would have provided the Dolphins with an intriguing option in the backfield. Despite finding himself in and out of the starting lineup, Swift averaged more than 900 yards from scrimmage and scored 25 touchdowns during his three seasons in Detroit.

Swift was ultimately traded to the Eagles for a fourth-round pick, and the Dolphins ended up pivoting to Texas A&M running back Devon Achane in the third round. Swift is only owed $1.7MM in the final year of his rookie contract.

It was assumed the Achane pick would be the end of the team’s major moves at the position. Both Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. seem locked into roster spots after leading Miami’s rushing attack in 2022. Former starter Myles Gaskin is also still around (albeit with a non-guaranteed contract).

Still, the team appears to be the front runner for Cook when the running back is cut by the Vikings tomorrow. The Dolphins discussed Cook with the Vikings in March, and the team was listed as a potential landing spot last week. We heard earlier today that the veteran RB was “very much intrigued” by playing for his hometown team, so it might not take long for a deal to come to fruition. Earlier today, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson tweeted that Cook’s next deal probably won’t come close to the $10.4MM he was set to earn in Minnesota, but we can assume that the Pro Bowler will still require a heftier contract than what’s owed to Swift in 2023.

Eagles Open To Extension With RB D’Andre Swift

May 20th, 2023 at 6:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles came away from the 2023 draft with another collection of Georgia defenders, but those weren’t the only former Bulldogs which they acquired. Trade addition D’Andre Swift is entering the final year of his rookie contract, making his financial future a situation to monitor.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes that the Eagles could look into an extension with the ex-Lions running back. Philadelphia acquired Swift as part of a draft-day pick swap which saw them exchange seventh-rounders and send a 2025 fourth-round selection to Detroit. That move was an expected one after the Lions surprisingly used their top pick on running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who is in line to hold a sizeable role in their backfield.

The same can be said of Swift in his new home. The Eagles lost Miles Sanders in free agency, creating an opening at the top of their RB depth chart. They signed Rashaad Penny, but the former Seahawks’ career has been marred by injury troubles. That could leave the door open to Swift taking on lead back duties, especially given his strength as a pass-catcher; the 24-year-old has racked up 1,198 yards and seven touchdowns in the air during his first three seasons.

Of his 40 career games, only 16 have been starts, however. Swift saw his snap share fall from 67% to 42% in 2022, leading to him lamenting his lack of opportunities. By the time he was dealt to his hometown NFL team, it came as little surprise that the Lions allowed him an opportunity to rebuild his value ahead of free agency. While the former second-rounder could sign a deal at any time, that should not be expected at this point.

Fowler adds that a Swift extension in 2023 is unlikely, given his inability to remain healthy for a full season to date. Doing so would no doubt boost his value, though the market did not yield much for running backs who were allowed to test free agency this offseason. Playing a key role in what should once again be an elite Philadelphia offense should, in any event, provide clarity on Swift’s likelihood of remaining with the Eagles beyond 2023.

Lions Trade RB D’Andre Swift To Eagles

April 29th, 2023 at 10:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

After the Lions drafted Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round, the writing appeared on the wall for D’Andre Swift. Two days later, Detroit will part ways with its 2020 second-round pick.

The fourth-year back is headed to the Eagles in a Saturday swap, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. While this is yet another Georgia alum coming to the Eagles, Swift is a Philadelphia native.

The Eagles are sending the Lions No. 219 this year and a 2025 fourth-rounder, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. In exchange, Detroit will send No. 249 this year to Philly, Schefter adds (on Twitter). Swift is tied to just a $1.77MM 2023 base salary.

Pre-draft reports connected the Eagles to Bijan Robinson, but after the Texas running back went to the Falcons at No. 8, the Eagles traded up one spot to select Jalen Carter. In a Georgia-filled weekend for the defending NFC champions, they will acquire a contract-year running back. Swift joins Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott and free agent signing Rashaad Penny on Philly’s roster. Swift’s camp had spoken to the Lions about a scenery change.

It should be expected the Eagles’ Miles Sanders replacement effort is complete via this trade and the Penny addition. While Swift has dealt with some injury issues, he represents a much safer bet than Penny, who is coming off yet another major malady. Swift has missed 10 games in three seasons but showed flashes as a dual-threat option during his three-year Detroit stay.

Swift has 25 career touchdowns, posted 1,069 scrimmage yards in 14 games in 2021 and averaged 5.5 yards per carry last season. However, the Lions primarily used Jamaal Williams as their 2022 ball carrier. Swift only received 99 totes last season. This course change caused Swift to voice frustration about his reduced role. The Lions have since signed David Montgomery to a three-year, $18MM deal and drafted Gibbs, who will complement the ex-Bears back and work as a receiving threat.

Swift, 24, battled ankle trouble last season, a shoulder problem in 2021 and missed two games because of a concussion in 2020. He also ripped off back-to-back 130-plus-yard rushing games in 2021, raising his profile. The Eagles, who have featured top-shelf rushing attacks in each of the past two years, will see if they can coax quality production from the former No. 35 overall pick. Swift will join former high school teammate Olamide Zaccheaus as offseason Eagles additions.

Lions RB D’Andre Swift Available In Trade?

April 28th, 2023 at 10:26am CST by Sam Robinson

The Lions made some surprising picks on Day 1 of the draft, a two-investment effort that began with running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 overall. As a result, D’Andre Swift‘s time in the Motor City might be coming to an end.

Detroit’s Gibbs pick has prompted teams to contact the Lions regarding a trade, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. It is unclear if the Lions are shopping the former second-round pick, but Fowler adds Swift’s camp has spoken with Detroit brass about a change of scenery.

One season remains on Swift’s rookie contract. The Georgia product arrived in Michigan before the current regime did, going off the 2020 draft board 35th overall during Bob Quinn‘s final draft running the Lions’ front office. With Gibbs set to complement free agency addition David Montgomery, Swift has run into a roadblock with the NFC North franchise.

“Yeah, I mean D’Andre is still on our roster,” GM Brad Holmes said Thursday night, via the Detroit News’ Justin Rogers. “He’s still a part of our team, he’s still under contract with us. He’s a dynamic football player. So, it hasn’t really changed the math there, yet. But it is early, so. It didn’t really change we just kind of put Jahmyr in his own separate box and just got really excited about the player, didn’t really have any bearing of D’Andre.”

While Detroit opted to swing for a big-play running back Thursday night, Swift’s tenure has not been unproductive. The Lions swung and missed on some high-value running backs during the 2010s (Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure, Ameer Abdullah, Kerryon Johnson) and the Holmes-led regime will attempt to reverse this trend, but Swift exited his third season with 25 career touchdowns. The former SEC standout has been a useful player in Detroit, though perhaps not as effective as the team would like.

Austin Ekeler‘s trade request did not produce much of consequence, but Swift would not cost as much in terms of salary or trade compensation. Then again, this year’s free agent market illustrated the tepid interest in non-star-caliber backs. Swift, 24, is attached to a $1.77MM base salary in 2023. The Lions gave Montgomery a three-year, $18MM deal to replace Jamaal Williams, who received a Lions offer but signed with the Saints. Williams led the NFL in rushing touchdowns last season; the ex-Packer’s surprising production diminished Swift’s standing in Detroit.

The Lions made Swift the second running back drafted in 2020, behind only Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Detroit has received better production from its choice compared to Kansas City, but injuries have slowed Swift. He battled ankle trouble last season, a shoulder problem in 2021 and missed two games because of a concussion in 2020. Overall, Swift has missed 10 games as a pro.

The dual-threat option has still averaged 959 scrimmage yards per season. In 2021, he broke through for back-to-back 130-plus-yard rushing efforts. Though, the shoulder injury slowed him shortly after that stretch. Last season, the Lions gave Williams 262 carries. The vocal veteran thrived, but Swift (99 totes) expressed frustration about his role midway through the year. With Montgomery and Gibbs looking set to split time next season, Swift may soon see a chance at a fresh start.

NFC Injury Rumors: Rams, Commanders, Penning, Swift

January 11th, 2023 at 9:10pm CST by Ely Allen

Rams rookie safety Russ Yeast endured a scary moment on Sunday in the team’s loss to the Seahawks, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. The seventh-round pick earned the first start of his career in place of Nick Scott, who was placed on injured reserve last week.

In the game, Yeast suffered a pulmonary contusion and needed to be taken to the hospital via ambulance. Head coach Sean McVay told reporters that Yeast was in stable condition but would stay in the hospital overnight. Yeast was reportedly scheduled to return to Los Angeles on Monday, according to The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue.

Following the dramatic events around Bills safety Damar Hamlin, another cardiac event requiring a hospital visit was the last thing the NFL wanted to see in Week 18.

Here are a few other injury rumors from around the NFC:

As the Commanders‘ season came to an end, Washington decided to address some players’ injuries, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. Head coach Ron Rivera informed the media before their final regular season matchup that running back Antonio Gibson underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his foot. Additionally, defensive tackle John Ridgeway tore a pectoral muscle in the team’s season finale against the Cowboys. He’ll have the full offseason to recover.
Saints first round rookie tackle Trevor Penning missed much of his first NFL season with a foot injury. What was initially thought to be a “bad case of turf toe” ended up being a torn ligament in his foot, resulting in him missing the first 11 games of his debut season. Penning would eventually work his way back and earn some snaps as a backup lineman before earning the first start of his career in Week 18. Unfortunately, a rough start for the Northern Iowa product has gotten even tougher as he suffered a Lisfranc injury in the season finale against the Panthers, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Penning faces a long recovery of approximately five to six months, but if he can come back by June, he should be able to make it back for part of the offseason training program in New Orleans.
Early in the season, Lions running back D’Andre Swift suffered a high ankle sprain and a separated shoulder that would dog him for the rest of the year. Despite playing through those ailments for much of the season, there doesn’t appear to be any need for surgery in the offseason, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Swift will reportedly meet with medical professionals in the next few weeks but is under the impression that, come next season, he will be fully healthy and ready to go.

Lions RB D’Andre Swift Frustrated With Usage

November 13th, 2022 at 5:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

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.

Inactives Today: Dotson, Swift, Bakhtiari, Horn

October 23rd, 2022 at 11:04am CST by Ely Allen

Washington was hoping to get its rookie first-round pick back today after missing the past two weeks with a hamstring injury, but, after seemingly reaggravating the hamstring in practice Thursday, Dotson will miss his third game in a row, according to Stacey Dales of NFL Network. In his absence, Washington will rely on Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown to work opposite Terry McLaurin on offense.

The Commanders have been a mixed bag without Dotson in the lineup. In the team’s loss to the Titans two weeks ago, Brown and Samuel combined to catch eight balls for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Brown’s production came on two long touchdown catches, while Samuel was peppered with eight targets working a shorter range. The two did enough to compliment McLaurin and open him up to snag five passes for 76 yards.

There wasn’t much offense to be found the next week during the Commanders’ win in Chicago, as quarterback Carson Wentz only accumulated 99 passing yards. McLaurin showed up, as usual, catching three balls for 41 yards, while Samuel only caught two of his five targets for 6 yards and Brown was only targeted once. The team has also utilized Cam Sims and Dax Milne, but Samuel and Brown seem to be the most capable candidates to replace Dotson’s production.

Here are a few other notes on players listed an inactive today:

Continuing a trend from his first two seasons, injuries seem to be weighing down Lions running back D’Andre Swift this year as he is also set to miss his third straight game, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Lions have the very capable legs of backup Jamaal Williams who, despite the offense’s struggles during a Week 5 trip to New England, has performed admirably in the lead role during Swift’s absence. Craig Reynolds has taken up the backup duties with Justin Jackson contributing, as well. All three will likely be needed for a tough trip to Dallas.
The Packers continue to get intermittent play out of star tackle David Bakhtiari due to the lingering effects of his recovery from last year’s ACL tear. After playing sparingly in two of the last four games, Bakhtiari will be out today against the Commanders, according to Field Yates of ESPN. Zach Tom is likely to sub in to protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers blindside, while Yosh Nijman slots in at right tackle.
The Panthers will be without second-year cornerback Jaycee Horn for the second week in a row. Last week, the team called on C.J. Henderson to start opposite Donte Jackson but split much of the playing time with second-year backup Keith Taylor. They’ll likely depend on a similar gameplan today against the Buccaneers.

Lions RB D’Andre Swift, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown Ruled Out For Sunday

September 30th, 2022 at 8:38pm CST by Ely Allen

The Lions offense continues to get bitten by injuries as two key offensive players were officially ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The team will attempt to catch up to the rest of the NFC North without running back D’Andre Swift and second-year wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Swift started off the season with a bang. During the team’s season-opening loss to the Eagles, Swift carried the ball 15 times for 144 yards and a touchdown. Since then, some different ailments seem to have slowed Swift down as he’s only had 12 carries for 87 yards in the past two weeks while playing less than half of the team’s offensive snaps during that time frame. Head coach Dan Campbell has suggested that Swift could be out through the team’s bye week, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Swift would only miss the Lions’ next two games in that scenario.

Luckily for Detroit, they roster one of the league’s more experienced backup running backs in Jamaal Williams. In the past two games which saw a lower usage of Swift, Williams had 32 carries for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers are also while playing fewer than half of the team’s offensive snaps. With Swift out, Williams should have an opportunity to really take the running game over.

Many called for a breakout sophomore season for St. Brown and, so far, he has delivered. After the first three weeks of the season, St. Brown leads the team in receiving yards with 253. He also ranks in the top-ten of league receivers in receptions (6th with 23), receiving touchdowns (2nd with 3), and receiving yards per game (10th with 84.3). St. Brown has been a dominant favorite target for quarterback Jared Goff and his absence should be a cause for concern.

His absence is even more of a concern since his fellow starting receivers, DJ Chark and Josh Reynolds, were both limited in practice this week with ankle injuries. Both Chark and Reynolds are listed as questionable going into the weekend. With St. Brown out and rookie first-round pick Jameson Williams still awaiting his rookie debut while recovering from a torn ACL, losing Chark and Reynolds would leave Detroit with only Kalif Raymond and Quintez Cephus as healthy pass-catchers. In the unlikely event that Raymond and Cephus are the only two healthy receivers for Week 4, the Lions will likely be forced to use their two practice squad call-ups on any of Tom Kennedy, former USFL-star Maurice Alexander, and undrafted rookie Josh Johnson.

Regardless, of the availability of Chark and Reynolds, the losses of Swift and St. Brown are daunting. The two-game stretch that Detroit could be without Swift consists of two opponents with identical 1-2 records. It’s hard to say that those win-loss totals mean much this early in the season, but the Lions will certainly hope that this is a softer section of their schedule where they’ll potentially be without their lead rusher and receiver.

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