Lions injury update: D’Andre Swift to miss practice; would have limited role if he plays vs. Bears

If you’re hoping for a big D’Andre Swift return this week against the Chicago Bears, it appears you’re headed for disappointment this Sunday. While the Detroit Lions rookie running back has cleared concussion protocol after two weeks, he is currently dealing with an illness that the team says is not related to COVID-19.

“He was here a little bit yesterday, and he started not feeling well, so (I) went ahead and sent him home before practice,” interim head coach Darrell Bevell said on Friday morning.

Bevell said that Swift would also be held out of Friday’s practice, but they will continue to monitor his situation before making a decision on his availability this week.

“We’re going to continue to take this through the end of the week, we’ll see how he continues to react to things, and we’ll be able to give you an update for Sunday,” Bevell said.

Swift has missed the past two games with a concussion. However, prior to his injury he had made his first NFL start in Week 10 against the Washington Football Team. In that game, Swift had a career high 16 carries that went for 81 yards and pitched in another career-high 68 receiving yards and a touchdown.

But even if Swift manages to fight through this illness by Sunday, Bevell suggested he would only play in a “smaller package” against the Bears. Though he’s been in on Zoom meetings and knows the game plan against Chicago, Detroit wants to keep him fresh and keep him healthy, much like they did earlier in the season when the rookie running back was battling a hip injury.

“As far as the game plan specific stuff, it would be very specific so he could go out there and play fast like I talk about,“ Bevell said.

In other words, prepare your mind, body and soul for more Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson.