He won’t have many of his usual linemen to run behind, but D’Andre Swift will play for the Detroit Lions on Sunday vs. the Washington Commanders.
Swift is active after missing most of practice this week with a sprained ankle he suffered in the first half of last week’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Swift ran for a career-high 144 yards in that game but was hobbled in the fourth quarter. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was a very limited participant Friday.
The Lions will not have their entire starting interior offensive line against the Commanders. Right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai is out indefinitely following back surgery, center Frank Ragnow is out with a toe injury and the Lions de-activated left guard Jonah Jackson because of a finger injury.
Opinion:Is Dan Campbell’s honeymoon ending? Why Sunday feels like a must-win for Lions
More:Dave Birkett’s scouting report, prediction
Vaitai is on injured reserve, Ragnow was ruled out Friday after missing practice all week and Jackson was doubtful entering Sunday because of an injury he suffered in practice Wednesday.
Logan Stenberg is expected to make his second start at right guard in Vaitai’s absence, and the Lions could use Dan Skipper, Drew Forbes or Kayode Awosika at left guard.
Along with Jackson and Ragnow, the Lions will be without top cornerback Amani Oruwariye because of a back injury. Oruwariye suffered the injury during stretching before practice Thursday.
Defensive linemen Austin Bryant and Demetrius Taylor, tight end James Mitchell and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu also are inactive for the Lions (0-1).