Tag: D’Andre Swift

Lions Week 14 rookie report: D’Andre Swift’s on track to return to action

Examining the Detroit Lions rookie’s roles as they prepare to take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 14.

Riding high after a win against the Chicago Bears last weekend, the Detroit Lions will be hosting the Green Bay Packers in another NFC North matchup.

With Darrell Bevell taking the reigns as the interim head coach, the Lions have seen some optimistic changes to their playbook and how players are utilized on the field.

With a second week to learn more from Bevell and a tough divisional matchup ahead of them, what is to be expected from Detroit’s 2020 rookie class?

CB Jeff Okudah

The 2020 season has not been kind to the Lions’ first-round pick.

Okudah missed the first game of the season because of an injury. Once he was healthy, his first career matchups were against some of the league’s top talents. He has had more than his fair share of rookie mistakes, and now it seems his debut year is over as he prepares for his upcoming surgery and heads to the injured reserve list.

Expect Amani Oruwariye and Darryl Roberts to be Detroit’s outside cornerbacks while Justin Coleman mans the slot.

RB D’Andre Swift

After missing the last two games due to a concussion and issues with migraines, it appears Detroit’s up-and-coming rookie running back will make his return.

Assuming he does play, Swift may need some time to reacclimate to the game. Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson have been sharing snaps in the Lions backfield, with Peterson doing most of the work on the ground and Johnson playing more as a receiver.

If Swift returns, he could immediately fill both of those roles for Detroit’s offense. The rookie has 606 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns on the season. If the Lions want to stay competitive in this matchup, they better hope that Swift can play.

OL Jonah Jackson and Logan Stenberg

Not much has changed for the roles of either rookie offensive lineman in recent weeks.

Jackson struggled a little more than usual last week against Chicago, but was luckily bailed out by some Bears defensive penalties. The rookie out of Ohio State will still get the start at left guard. He has allowed four sacks on the season and has committed the same number of penalties.

Stenberg took the field for the first time in his pro career last week, albeit just for three special teams snaps. The fourth-round pick will continue to serve as a reserve offensive lineman and should be active for the game as the Lions’ eighth lineman.

WR Quintez Cephus

Filling in for Kenny Golladay, rookie Quintez Cephus had quite the showing in Chicago. Cephus had the best game of his young career with two receptions for 63 yards and one very impressive touchdown.

He took the field for a little less than half of the team’s offensive snaps last weekend and that isn’t expected to change this week. The rookie should still be considered as Detroit’s second option behind Marvin Jones and will split some snaps with Mohamed Sanu as well.

DL John Penisini

After taking over as Detroit’s starting nose tackle, Penisini came through for the defense with three tackles as well as an important fumble recovery late in the game against Chicago.

Unfortunately, the sixth-round rookie’s status for the Packers game is questionable as he deals with a shoulder injury he suffered late in the week during practice.

If he can’t play, the Lions have no other rostered nose tackles and will have to try and utilize Kevin Strong and Frank Herron in the attempts to stop Aaron Jones and the rest of Green Bay’s rushing attack.

TE Hunter Bryant

Bryant saw the field for the first time in his NFL career last weekend and is expected to play again this week. The undrafted rookie took a mere 11 snaps in that game – five on offense and the rest on special teams.

Bryant still sits behind T.J. Hockenson and Jesse James on the depth chart, so don’t expect too much from the rookie against Green Bay.

S Bobby Price

Another undrafted rookie to make his NFL debut against Chicago, Price was given a substantial role on special teams right away. The safety, who was just elevated from the practice squad, saw the field for almost two-thirds of the Lions’ special teams snaps and made one tackle.

With fellow safety and core special teamer C.J. Moore questionable to play, Price may find himself in that role once again.