As we move into Week 3, D’Andre Swift’s ankle injury remains a concern for fantasy football managers. Swift managed to suit up last week and provide for fantasy managers, but after a lot of question marks about his status and role. With Swift once again on the Detroit Lions‘ injury report in Week 3, what should fantasy managers do this week when it comes to the Lions’ running back?
What is D’Andre Swift’s latest injury update for Week 3?
For the second straight week, Swift was been a non-participant in Wednesday’s practice. Last week, he also missed Thursday’s practice before returning in a limited fashion on Friday. Swift then carried a questionable tag into the weekend but was active on game day. Swift only had five carries and 10 total opportunities in Week 2, compared to 15 and 18, respectively, in Week 1.
That limited role is a concern for fantasy managers as Swift continues to deal with the ankle injury. If he can manage to practice Thursday and Friday, that will indicate an improvement. However, that still leaves his role for the weekend uncertain. So what should fantasy managers do with their star RB this weekend?
Can fantasy managers trust D’Andre Swift in Week 3?
If you started Swift last week, the final line of 14.7 fantasy points in non-PPR looked fine. However, it took two huge plays to get there. Swift took a carry for 50 yards and then a reception for 22 yards and a touchdown. Those two plays alone counted for 13.2 of those fantasy points. If those plays had gone slightly different, managers would have been kicking themselves for starting Swift last week.
That is the dilemma with Swift right now. He’s a big-play threat every time he touches the ball, but when you’re only getting 10 opportunities a game, those chances to produce the big plays are limited. The other problem is that Swift is not getting carries inside the 5-yard line so far this season. Through the first two weeks, all four of those touches have gone to Jamaal Williams.
If Swift were getting the goal-line work, even with this injury, that would be different. Then these opportunities for high-scoring fantasy performances would be increased. The problem is you’re relying on him to make plays in usually low-leverage situations.
Swift has now broken two 50-yard runs during the season, but can he keep doing that week after week? Probably not. Therefore, unless we hear he’ll be back to his Week 1 workload, starting Swift this weekend is extremely risky. It worked out last week, but are you willing to bank on it again in Week 3?
If Swift remains limited, then Williams is once again a solid fantasy option. He has 23 rush attempts through two weeks and 81 yards. Not the most exciting output, but with him seeing the goal-line work, there is a nice ceiling here.
We really need to see Williams getting more than one or two targets a game for him to be a definite starter in 12-team leagues. However, he’s very much in Flex consideration if Swift is set to be limited again in Week 3.