Lions Get Positive Injury Update on D'Andre Swift for Week 1
By Peter Dewey
The Detroit Lions are major underdogs in their Week 1 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, but they will have one of their best playmakers in the lineup to try and pull off the upset.
Running back D’Andre Swift, who has been dealing with a groin injury this offseason, will be ready to go in Week 1, according to head coach Dan Campbell.
Fantasy alert: Lions coach Dan Campbell said on @971theticketxyt this morning that RB D'Andre Swift (and DL Michael Brockers) will be ready to go Week 1.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 7, 2021
WynnBET has yet to release player props for Swift in Sunday’s game, but he is listed in the odds to lead second-year running backs in rushing and receiving yards this season at +1200 odds.
Swift is fourth on the list behind Jonathan Taylor (-130), Antonio Gibson (+300) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (+475), but he could have some sneaky value in this prop based on the Lions’ outlook this season.
Detroit is expected to be one of the league’s worst teams after trading away Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff, and that could lead to a big role in the receiving game for Swift if the Lions are constantly playing from behind.
As a rookie, Swift caught 46 passes for 357 yards in just 13 games (four starts). Edwards-Helaire started all 13 games he played in last year and caught just 36 passes.
Swift has been injury prone early in his NFL career, as evidenced by this offseason, but he should have a major role in the Lions’ offense if he can stay healthy. Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. are no longer with the team, leaving rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyrell Williams at receiver and Swift and Jamaal Williams in the backfield.
Williams may cut into Swift’s workload at times, but Swift should be the team’s preferred passing down back and starter after the Lions used a second-round pick on him in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Detroit is a 7.5-point home underdog against the 49ers in Week 1. With Swift in the lineup the Lions’ offense should be a little more potent, but don’t expect his presence to move the line in favor of Detroit in what looks to be a lopsided matchup.
Does D’Andre Swift change the Lions fortune in Week 1? Make your pick on the WynnBET app.