Team news: Chicago Bears | Page 20

Lions RB D'Andre Swift practiced in full Friday and does not have an injury designation, according to Tim Twentyman of the Detroit Lions. Swift did not practice in front of or talk to reporters after practice and his status was not known prior to the injury report.

Swift was trending towards playing and is locked in against the San Francisco 49ers. The matchup is less than ideal but Swift should see targets int he passing game should the game get out of hand.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said on 97.1 The Ticket this morning that RB D'Andre Swift (and DL Michael Brockers) will be ready to go Week 1.

Related players: Jamaal Williams

Swift did not play this preseason because of a groin injury and several Lions coaches have said they were worried about his early season workload, Birkett went on to say. He added that always seemed like a nudge to get and keep him on the field. It remains to be seen what Swift's workload will be, but it's very likely Williams will also have a role.

And no sooner did I tweet this and it was announced that Travis Homer has passed his physical and can practice starting today. So, Seattle's RB competition gets a little more interesting.

Related players: DeeJay Dallas, Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny

We had a great story on this a week or so ago from the Athletic and it broke down the Seattle RBs: Carson will be the main back with Penny his backup and a change of pace, perhaps a second half closer situation. Dallas and Homer look to be the third down backs, but Homer is a much better blocker while Dallas is the pass catcher.

Lions running back D'Andre Swift has been struggling with a groin injury, and it’s unclear how soon he’ll be back to 100 percent.

Detroit head coach Dan Campbell told reporters today that he’s concerned about Swift’s ability to get himself in football shape by Week 1.

Related players: Jamaal Williams

The story went on to say Campbell has said he’d love to see the Lions’ offense use Swift and Williams the way the Saints used Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram when they were teammates and Campbell was an assistant coach in New Orleans. But if Swift isn’t ready to go Week 1, Williams would be the bell cow. Williams could have had stand alone value even with Swift in the lineup, so he's worth targeting in upcoming drafts.

Robby Anderson was scheduled to make $8 million in 2021, but with extension the Panthers added $4.5 million to this season to make his 2021 salary $12.5 million. He will get $13 million in 2022 and $12 million in 2023, per a league source.

Related players: D.J. Moore, Terrace Marshall

Anderson is coming off a big year in which he caught 95 balls for 1,096 yards and three TDs. Anderson will at least run second behind assumed WR1 Moore, but will also compete with rookie Terrance Marshall, who the team said will have a role this year. RB Christian McCaffrey is also a top target in the passing game, who was missing much of last year. But Anderson does have the benefit of working with Sam Darnold, who should be the QB starter. The two were together with the Jets. We rank Anderson 29th among our WRs.

When a coach singles you out, as was the case with Trent Sherfield and Jauan Jennings, that’s a terrific sign that they’ll make the roster.

We know Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are locks to make the roster. So let’s add Mohamed Sanu to the list, which leaves one spot for Jalen Hurd, Nsimba Webster, River Cracraft, and Richie James.

The story says the 49ers top guys should remain at the top of the depth chart, but it's possible Shanahan was trying to get the attention of Samuel and Aiyuk, the author went on to say. It's seems to be a crowded position, but keep an eye out for Sherfield and Jennings.

The emphasis on getting Rashaad Penny outside the tackles reinforces the team’s belief in him as a home-run hitter. The change-of-pace, potential game-breaker they plan to deploy after they open games using Chris Carson to smash the defense in the face.

Related players: Travis Homer, DeeJay Dallas

This story does a nice job of breaking down the roles for Seahawk RBs: Carson will be the main back with Dallas and Homer the third down backs. Dallas looks to be the main receiver while Homer is the better pass blocker. That leaves Penny as the primary backup to Carson, who will see that change of pace role, perhaps especially in the second half or later in games when Carson has worn down the defense. Penny also seems to have handcuff value to Carson based on these roles.

The Detroit Lions spent a lot of their offseason trying to build a viable running game. Now with training camp headed for the home stretch, they’re finally about to get a look at it.

Starting running back D’Andre Swift is expected to return to practice on Tuesday evening, according to head coach Dan Campbell.

Related players: Jamaal Williams

Swift has been slowed by a sore groin that has held him out of the majority of team drills during camp, the story said. Williams, the former Packers running back who signed a two-year deal with Detroit this offseason, has repped as the No. 1 running back for the majority of camp. He’s looked good doing it too, the story sent on to say. Williams should still have a significant role this year.

But the rookie who shined brightest Sunday was wideout Terrace Marshall, who pulled in three passes for 88 yards, including a 60-yard gain on a scramble play by P.J. Walker.

Related players: David Moore, D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson

The story said David Moore didn’t have a bad day (two catches for 26 yards), but Marshall seemingly has a leg up on the No. 3 WR competition. Marshall will still be behind D.J. Moore and Anderson, and of course RB Christian McCaffrey when it comes to pass catching, but Marshall's certainly a name to watch. We had a story on Marshall last week that said the Panthers do have big plans for him.