As if there weren’t enough injuries to star fantasy football running backs, D’Andre Swift is hurt as well, proving that the fantasy gods are ruthless. I don’t know who angered them, but if you could roast a sacrificial lamb or something so we can get through this plague of injuries, that’d be awesome.
Let’s dive in on the latest news on Swift and what fantasy managers need to know and expect.
D’Andre Swift’s injury timeline
There’s some stuff to sift through here. Swift injured his shoulder in Detroit’s Thanksgiving matchup with the Chicago Bears. He was diagnosed with an AC sprain and labeled “day-to-day,” but now it sounds like the injury could potentially cause Swift to miss time.
Head coach Dan Campbell said it would be “hard to see him playing” when asked about Swift’s availability this week. Swift reportedly is still very sore.
According to physical therapist Edwin Porras, the average recovery time for an AC sprain is 10 days. Porras also said that “realistic managers should expect this to go on for 2-3 weeks and give a sigh of relief if it’s only a one-game absence.”
In line with what Porras said, it’s now being reported that Swift could miss multiple weeks. Swift “wants to return in short order,” but it sounds like the Lions will be cautious with their lead back. It makes sense — in a lost season, there’s no reason to rush Swift back to the field and risk further injury for 2022 and beyond.
For Week 13, the New York Giants ruled Swift out on Friday afternoon. Jamaal Williams will be in line to get the start for the Lions this week.
It’s a crucial part of the season for fantasy managers to potentially be without their RB1.
Swift has been fantastic this season
There aren’t enough good things to say about Swift, who has exceeded the expectations of fantasy managers this year. Before he was forced to exit Week 12 early, Swift was the RB7 in half-PPR scoring. He had failed to score double-digit fantasy points only three times this season.
Swift has averaged 97.5 scrimmage yards and 5.3 receptions per game, providing a solid RB1 season despite only having 6 total touchdowns. He is the focal point of a Lions offense that has been trailing early and often this season, and his receiving ability keeps him on the field no matter the game script. Fantasy managers will miss his presence if he is sidelined.
Fantasy expectations for Jamaal Williams
Jamaal Williams is the clear backup to Swift. After Swift went down last week, Williams saw a season-high 15 carries for 65 yards, adding 5 receptions on 5 targets for an additional 18 yards. If Swift is to miss any time, it will be Williams that sees a bell-cow workload against a Minnesota Vikings defense that’s giving up the ninth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Minnesota was gashed for 208 rushing yards and 3 TDs on the ground by the San Francisco 49ers last week. No, you shouldn’t expect that output from the Lions, but Williams will be a solid RB2 play this week without Swift.