Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift is looking to build off of a mostly successful sophomore campaign. However, he did miss four games down the stretch with injuries. Lions running backs coach Duce Staley appeared to call out his toughness.
Staley revealed a discussion he had with the talented running back, noted by NBC Sports writer Michael David Smith.
“You've gotta be able to play through some of these injuries,” Staley said. “We all know there’s a difference between being injured and hurt. As soon as you step in this building as a running back, day one training camp, you’re not going to feel the same. There will be some things you have to fight through.”
Swift missed a few games during his rookie year after sustaining a concussion. That's hardly his fault as the new rules were designed to protect players from returning too soon from head injuries. Last season, he suffered an AC joint sprain in Week 12 vs. the Chicago Bears and missed the next month of action.
Considering the Lions were already well out of playoff contention at that point, it seems a bit unfair to say Swift should have played through the injury. The Lions running back has shown he has explosiveness and exceptional playmaking skills. He's probably the most talented tailback the franchise has had since Barry Sanders.
Last year, Swift finished with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage, caught 62 passes and seven touchdowns.
The Lions will enter the 2022 NFL season with as much excitement and hype as any in recent history. Much of that has to do with what the franchise accomplished at the 2022 NFL Draft, landing Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams.
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