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Game day update: The Lions will have D’Andre Swift in the lineup again this week for the first time in several weeks. It’s a welcome return, giving their offense an extra pop. ESPN is projecting 13.94 points for Swift this week, making him a solid RB2. For Peterson, ESPN is projecting 8.1 points.
Running back D’Andre Swift was limited in practice this week with an illness, but appears on track to return to the lineup in Week 14. What should fantasy owners be doing with the Detroit Lions backfield this weekend? Let’s take a closer look at what Swift and Adrian Peterson might be able to do on Sunday.
Fantasy Football analysis: Lions RBs D’Andre Swift, Adrian Peterson
Swift hasn’t played since Nov. 15 against the Minnesota Vikings and sat out the last three games. He has been cleared from a recent concussion but has been limited with a non-coronavirus illness. He is listed as questionable, but is trending in the right direction by all accounts.
Peterson handled 16 of the 20 handoffs in the Lions offense last week, a 34-30 win over the Chicago Bears. He averaged 3.6 yards per carry for a total of 57 rushing yards.
If Swift is good to go, he’s got a good matchup against the Green Bay Packers, which struggle against the run. The Packers allow 4.6 yards per carry, which ranks 25th in the NFL. In Green Bay’s last game, a 30-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, the Packers performed well against the running backs as Miles Sanders carried the ball 10 times for 31 yards to lead the team’s backfield.
Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation
Swift can be trusted as a No. 2 running back as it appears he should be ready to play on Sunday. If he’s able to play, that would shift Peterson down to a role that’s likely a fourth running back option.