Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell ruled out starting RB D’Andre Swift and Pro Bowl TE T.J. Hockenson for Saturday’s preseason matchup in Pittsburgh with the Steelers. Campbell made the declaration in his pre-practice press conference on Thursday.
Swift has been dealing with a groin injury. He will get reps in the team drills portion of practice on Thursday after sitting out the last practice in street clothes. Swift has not been a full participant in practice since the first week of training camp.
Hockenson landed hard in a practice session late last week and has not done anything more than individual drills since. He will not be active in team drills in Thursday’s practice but is expected to return to a full workload next week, per Campbell.
In addition to Swift and Hockenson, starting defensive end Michael Brockers will also not play in the second preseason game. He also sat out last Friday’s preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills. Several other more established Lions are also not expected to play in Pittsburgh, though Campbell has yet to make any of them official.
[lawrence-related id=64454]