D’Andre Swift’s career-best rushing performance came on a day he played through a sprained ankle.
Swift told the Free Press on Wednesday he rolled his ankle in the second quarter of the Detroit Lions’ season opening 38-35 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Swift stayed in the game and finished with 15 carries for 144 yards, the third most in the NFL in Week 1. He ran for 47 yards in the second half and scored on a 7-yard run just before halftime.
The Lions held Swift out of practice Wednesday, though the third-year running back downplayed his injury.
Lions film review:Aidan Hutchinson’s debut a dud, but don’t be down on rookie
Asked if his ankle was anything to be concerned about heading into this week’s game against the Washington Commanders, Swift, who played 46 of a possible 69 offensive snaps against the Eagles, said, “Not at all.”
The Lions (0-1) made Swift the focal point of their offense in their opener and will continue to make heavy use of him.
Along with his 15 carries, Swift caught all three passes thrown his way for 31 yards. He broke a 50-yard run on his first play from scrimmage and caught a 7-yard pass on third-and-5 to keep alive the Lions’ final touchdown drive.
More:Anatomy of a loss: Detroit Lions’ big concern goes back to coaching and preparation
More:How Lions OC Ben Johnson did in his first game calling plays
“Swift is one of those players that we have – we’ve got some good players, but Swift is, he’s a dynamic player for us and he’s the one guy that can take it anywhere,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said Sunday. “He can take it to the house from anywhere on the field and I’m glad he’s ours.”
As good as his day was against the Eagles, Swift feels he could have been more productive. He had three carries for 9 yards on the Lions’ three three-and-out series in the first and second quarters, and his only catch of the first half went for a short loss.
“It was a good start, got to keep going,” Swift said. “We’re still looking for that first win, like I said. It ain’t too much about me. Team success first and foremost and I just got to keep building from there, that’s all.”
Along with Swift, the Lions held center Frank Ragnow (groin/foot), left tackle Taylor Decker (calf), backup guard Tommy Kraemer (back) and defensive tackle Michael Brockers (knee) out of practice Wednesday. Left guard Jonah Jackson (finger), linebacker Julian Okwara (hamstring) and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (hamstring) were limited.
Decker wore a compression sleeve on his left calf in the locker room after practice.