The sprained shoulder that kept D’Andre Swift out of last week’s win over the Minnesota Vikings is “improving,” but the Detroit Lions running back missed his fourth straight practice Wednesday.
Swift was listed as a non-participant on the Lions’ estimated practice report.
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The Lions held a split walk-through in lieu of a full practice Wednesday with the flu bug ravaging their team.
“All I can say is he’s improving. That would be the best way to put it,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said when asked about Swift’s status. “There again, it was a walk-through today, so he’s improved certainly from last week and it’d be hard for me to say one way or another what it looks like right now.”
Swift leads the Lions with 555 yards rushing on 140 carries and is second on the team with 56 catches for 429 yards.
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Campbell said last week he hoped Swift would be able to return after a one-week absence and that there was no thought of shutting Swift down for the season.
Jamaal Williams (17 carries, 71 yards) saw the majority of the playing time at running back in Swift’s absence, with Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson playing smaller roles off the bench.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who missed the Vikings game with a shoulder injury, and Julian Okwara (ankle) also were listed as non-participants Wednesday because of injuries. T.J. Hockenson (hand), Bobby Price (shoulder), Matt Nelson (ankle) and Austin Bryant (shoulder) were limited participants.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.