The only time he entered a game healthy this season, D'Andre Swift put up 175 total yards and a touchdown in the Lions' Week 1 loss to the Eagles. He injured his ankle that day, then injured his shoulder two weeks later in a loss to the Vikings. When he returned after a three-game absence, the rest of his season was a grind.
"Played the whole season with a high ankle sprain and a separated shoulder, so just did what I could," Swift said Monday. "I mean, just pushed through."
It wasn't until late in the season that Swift started feeling more like himself again. He wound up with five carries or fewer in six games and 10 touches or fewer in nine games, not the plan for a running back who entered the year eyeing 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving. But the Lions had to limit Swift's workload to keep him on the field.
Injuries have nagged the former second-round pick since he entered the NFL. He's missed at least three games each of his first three seasons. His future with the Lions is in question beyond next season, the final year of his rookie contract.
Swift rushed for 542 yards and 5.5 yards per attempt this season, adding 389 yards through the air. He is a difference-maker when his body allows it, like when he put up 117 total yards and two touchdowns in the Lions' Week 17 rout of the Bears. He'll face the same challenge next season that he's faced throughout his young career: stay healthy.
If he can't, 2023 could be his final year in Detroit.
Swift did help the Lions take down the Packers and clinch a winning record in the season finale, mostly by catching seven passes for 61 yards. He said "it meant everything" for the team "to go out like that in that scenario and finish the season strong."
"Super proud of the the culture that we built here," said Swift. "The way these guys come in and work every single day, the mentality that we have week in and week out always looking to get better, this group is second to none."
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