The head injury to Detroit Lions rookie running back D’Andre Swift is becoming more and more worrisome.
You can call it what you want, a head injury, a brain injury, however you choose to describe a concussion doesn’t matter to me, but the injury to starting running back D’Andre Swift without a doubt brings back terrible memories to Detroit Lions fans.
Now, let’s not overreact and call it a career or anything, but the lingering effects of a concussion Swift suffered in Week Ten against Washington is starting to mirror another highly-touted running back in Jahvid Best.
I’m just merely bringing up the fact that concussions are not something anyone should take lightly. If you recall, just a year after signing a five-year deal with the Detroit Lions, Best suffered a concussion in a preseason contest back in 2011. He’d end up returning and just a week removed from running all over the Chicago Bears for 163 yards suffered another devastating concussion in mid-October, one he’d never be able to return from.
There are a lot of similarities here.
Like Best, Swift is a dual-threat running back, a back that is equally as dangerous catching the football out of the backfield or at times the slot as he is running the football.
Swift had been injured just a week after the Detroit Lions publically announced they’d be committing to the dynamic playmaker as the teams’ featured running back. Swift immediately rewarded the Lions with 149 total yards and a score while playing a career-high 73% of Detroit’s offensive snaps against Washington.
After missing the last two games, D’Andre Swift’s status for Sunday’s divisional tilt in Chicago remains in question. An independent neurologist had recently cleared Swift, and despite practicing on a limited basis Wednesday, Swift missed Thursday’s practice due to an illness.
Future Hall Of Famer running back Adrian Peterson weighed in on the situation, leaving us with plenty to consider, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press;
Adrian Peterson sounding a concerning note about D’Andre Swift as he battles a brain injury, said Swift hasn’t been himself while dealing with the injury, hasn’t had the same energy level. Said Swift had to take care of his health
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) December 3, 2020
Peterson said he told Swift: “It’s not anything to take lightly... The most important thing for you is to make sure you’re back and you’re ready and you’re good... Like I told him, only you know (when that is)”
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) December 3, 2020
It is good news that Swift has cleared the concussion protocol, but missing Thursday practice leaves his availability for Sunday in doubt plus I can’t help but be worried his ‘illness’ is still related to post-concussion syndrome. Also, Adrian Peterson’s quote leaves me somewhat concerned.
Peterson citing Swift has lacked the same energy level, burst, and explosiveness since the injury may be enough to justify trekking on without Swift for at least another week.
The Detroit Lions need to put Swift’s health first and foremost for the remainder of the 2020 season. The organization needs to protect its investment, and at this point, there is no need to rush him back until he’s once again completely healthy.