D’Andre Swift Injury Report: Fantasy Impact of Lions RB Trending Toward Missing Another Game

Running back D'Andre Swift (shoulder) is trending toward missing his second game in a row on the heels of the Lions' first win of the season.

D'Andre Swift Injury Report

Swift is dealing with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder he suffered early in the Lions' Thanksgiving matchup against the Bears. He finished the game with three carries for zero yards and three catches for nine yards.

The initial prognosis suggested Swift could miss "multiple weeks," a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. He was listed as doubtful heading into Week 13 and ultimately did not play against the Vikings. Backup Jamaal Williams got the start and was a bit of a letdown. He shouldered nearly all of the work out of the Lions’ backfield and saw 17 carries for 71 yards, but was barely involved in the passing game; third-string running back Jermar Jefferson saw five carries for 18 yards.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell told the media on Wednesday that Swift is improving, per the Detroit Free Press, but did not participate in practice. He also missed practice on Thursday. He was previously referred to as a long shot to return in Week 14 against the Broncos, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He would have to log — at the very minimum — a limited practice on Friday for managers to have any confidence in his availability come Sunday. 

Worry-o-meter: 5 out of 5.

D'Andre Swift's Fantasy Outlook

If Active

Swift would still be a must-start if he miraculously plays in this game. He was RB9 through the first 11 weeks of the season on a per-game basis in half PPR scoring. The Year 2 running back has recorded 140 attempts for 555 yards and 56 catches for 429 yards and six total touchdowns so far this season.

There is a good chance he shares his workload with Williams as he has in previous instances when Swift was banged up. This puts Swift's value somewhere in the RB2 range with Williams' in the RB3 tier.

If Inactive

Williams would be the primary beneficiary once again in the likely event Swift misses Week 14. Williams finished as RB26 last week in half PPR and would be a low-end RB2 this week against Denver's defense, which has been slightly above average against fantasy running backs.

Jefferson would back Williams up in this case and would have some deeper league appeal.