DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 25: D’Andre Swift #32 of the Detroit Lions catches a pass in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 25, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Lions running back D’Andre Swift is all but sure to miss Week 13, but he reportedly could miss multiple weeks as his injury and the team’s caution come together.
After he left the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Chicago Bears in the first half and was unable to return, it’s no surprise Lions running back D’Andre Swift is in line to miss Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. It’s also no surprise he missed Wednesday’s practice as the team started the new week’s preparation.
Also on Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Swift could miss multiple weeks with the sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.
Swift surely wants to return as soon as possible, and even with missing a big chunk of Week 12 he is having a very good season. But the Lions are 0-10-1, with a capable replacement to go to in Jamaal Williams. So there’s no sense to rush Swift back before he’s less than full strength, and holding him out multiple weeks is not a blatant attempt to tank and go winless this season. Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson will be lined up for more opportunities too.
If the Lions decide to put him on IR, which is definitely an option, Swift would miss at least three games. If they did it this week, the earliest he could return is Week 16 on Dec. 26 against the Atlanta Falcons. Any delay in the move would push back that earliest possible return, to Week 17 or Week 18. The possibility of IR invites the idea that “caution” will end his 2021 season, with only six games to go.
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When he avoided a collarbone injury it was easy to assume Swift would miss a game, or maybe two, and be back in action. The idea his season is over (with or without the formal announcement in the short-term) is still a reach, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities.