Dan Campbell: Lions RB D’Andre Swift has ‘done enough to earn’ more playing time

Through three weeks, no Detroit Lions skill player has touched the ball more than running back D’Andre Swift. He leads the team in both rushes (33) and receptions (19) and has accounted for 289 yards of Detroit’s total 1,118 total yards—as well as three of their seven touchdowns.

But one stat he doesn’t lead in: starts. Swift has not started in any of the Lions’ first three games, with Jamaal Williams getting the first looks in each contest. Head coach Dan Campbell, however, said not to read too much into that.

“I think it was more of, ‘Hey, let’s see where he’s at,’” Campbell said on Wednesday. “He’s still kind of coming off these injuries. We’ve got to use him the right way. Be careful. Let Jamaal start. Jamaal’s been here the full time”

Swift has been dealing with a lingering groin injury from training camp. He missed several practices in August and he continues to be listed as limited on the injury report as of last week. But Campbell says he’s seen enough through three weeks to potentially increase his workload going forward and maybe even get him that first start.

“I, certainly, think you’re going to see a lot more of Swift, and he can very easily be out there first play,” Campbell said. “I think he’s done enough to earn that.”

The Lions noticeably ramped up Swift’s contributions in the receiving game in the second half of Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. In the final two quarters alone, Swift caught six passes for 56 yards as the Lions' offense—which was held scoreless in the first half—scored on all three of their second-half drives.

This week will be no easy task for Swift, though. The Chicago Bears boast one of the best coverage linebackers in the game in Roquan Smith.

“Roquan’s pretty dang good, now,” Campbell said. “He’s one of the best ones in this league. And so, that’s not an easy matchup for us, but we certainly like where Swift’s at.”