Tag: d’andre swift

Lions Wire fantasy football weekly: 2021 Week 15 preview

Our Derek Okrie sorts through all the weekend games to get you ready for fantasy football playoffs

There are times in fantasy football where you look at your roster, see your injuries, evaluate the lack of waiver wire options, and just know it is going to be a difficult week.

With all the COVID issues, injuries, and unexpected players out last week that was one of those weeks in the NFL and especially for the Detroit Lions.

Lions vs Cardinals fantasy focus

After a tough game last week in Denver where they were forced to play backups of the backup at many positions, the Lions need to regroup in a hurry to play a high-powered Arizona Cardinals team. The Cardinals have one of the best records in the NFC, but just got the news they will be without their star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

The Lions are still unsure if they will have some of their top fantasy players in D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson. Other role players like Craig Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, and Brock Wright have been asked to step up and fill the void.

This game is in Ford Field, but an angry Arizona team that just lost a crucial matchup to Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams last week is coming in. Expect them to throw it all over the field against the Lions and them to put up some nice fantasy statistics in this one. The Lions will have to have some tricks up their sleeve and try to grind it out if they want to pull out a big upset win.

Start

  • Tom Brady vs Saints
  • Dalvin Cook at Bears
  • Ja’Marr Chase at Broncos
  • Zach Ertz at Lions

Sit

  • Cam Newton at Bills
  • James Robinson vs Texans
  • D.K. Metcalf at Rams
  • Tyler Higbee vs Seahawks

Top 3 projected players by position

Quarterbacks

  • Josh Allen vs Panthers
  • Lamar Jackson vs Packers
  • Tom Brady vs Saints

Running Backs

  • Jonathan Taylor vs Patriots
  • Dalvin Cook at Bears
  • Nick Chubb vs Raiders

Wide Receivers

  • Cooper Kupp vs Seahawks
  • Davante Adams at Ravens
  • Justin Jefferson at Bears

Tight Ends

  • Travis Kelce at Chargers
  • Mark Andrews vs Packers
  • Rob Gronkowski vs Saints

Team Defenses

  • Dolphins vs Jets
  • Cowboys at Giants
  • Cardinals at Lions

Kickers

  • Nick Folk at Colts
  • Justin Tucker vs Packers
  • Matt Gay vs Seahawks

Waiver wire options

  • PJ Walker (QB Panthers)
  • Case Keenum (QB Browns)
  • Craig Reynolds (RB Lions)
  • Royce Freeman (RB Texans)
  • Anthony Schwartz (WR Browns)
  • Dee Eskridge (WR Seahawks)
  • Harrison Bryant (TE Browns)
  • Nick Vannett (TE Saints)

Intriguing games and players in Week 15

(Week 15 Bye Weeks: None) 

Kansas City at LA Chargers, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST

  • KC: Travis Kelce (TE), Patrick Mahomes (QB)
  • LAC: Justin Herbert (QB), Keenan Allen (WR)

Las Vegas at Cleveland, Saturday 4:30 PM, EST

  • LVR: Josh Jacobs (RB), Darren Waller (TE)
  • CLE: Nick Chubb (RB), Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR)

New England at Indianapolis, Saturday 8:20 PM, EST

  • NE: Mac Jones (QB), Damien Harris (RB)
  • IND: Michael Pittman Jr (WR), Johnathan Taylor (RB)

Arizona at Detroit, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • AZ: Kyler Murray (QB), Rondale Moore (WR)
  • DET: Craig Reynolds (RB), Josh Reynolds (WR)

Cincinnati at Denver, Sunday 4:05 PM, EST

  • CIN: Joe Burrow (QB), Joe Mixon (RB)
  • DEN: Javonte Williams (RB), Jerry Jeudy (WR)

Seattle at LA Rams, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

  • SEA: Russell Wilson (QB), Rashad Penny (RB)
  • LAR: Matthew Stafford (QB), Sony Michel (RB)

New Orleans at Tampa Bay, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST

  • NO: Alvin Kamara (RB), Taysom Hill (QB)
  • TB: Tom Brady (QB), Ronald Jones (RB)

Minnesota at Chicago, Monday 8:15 PM, EST

  • MIN: Justin Jefferson (WR), Dalvin Cook (RB)
  • CHI: Allen Robinson (WR), David Montgomery (RB)

Bottom Line

Even in times when you look at your roster and feel there is no path to victory – there is. You have to work hard to find it sometimes though. The Lions are trying to do that with all their key injuries and current COVID-19 cases.

Most fantasy owners are now in the fantasy playoffs or maybe have one more week to go. Even if your lineup has some question marks and the final score projections don’t look pretty to start, you still have a chance to win. Add some sneaky-depth players that might get the football or find the endzone, cover your positions where you have potential injuries where that player might not be able to play that week, and put your best lineup in before kickoff. Anything can happen in the NFL, for the Lions, and especially in fantasy football.

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D’Andre Swift, T.J. Hockenson among 7 Lions missing practice with injuries

D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson among 7 Lions missing Wednesday’s practice with injuries

The Detroit Lions returned to the practice field on Wednesday in advance of Sunday’s home date with the Arizona Cardinals. Well, most of the team practiced.

Seven Lions players sat out with injuries, and that figure includes some pretty important names. Tight end T.J. Hockenson (hand), RB D’Andre Swift (shoulder) and LG Jonah Jackson (back) were among the players sitting out with injuries. On defense, LB Alex Anzalone (ankle) and OLB Julian Okwara (ankle) also sat out.

Two others, OT Will Holden and S Jalen Elliott, sat out but their absences were not injury-related.

Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin was back for the first time in several weeks but appeared on just a limited basis. He wore a non-contact jersey in the portion of practice open to the media. Also limited with injuries:

  • RT Penei Sewell (shoulder)
  • OLB Austin Bryant (shoulder)
  • DE Michael Brockers (knee)
  • LB Derrick Barnes (knee)

Lions rule out TE T.J. Hockenson among Week 14 inactives

Hockenson and RB D’Andre Swift are among the key players inactive with injuries

The Detroit Lions were already shorthanded heading into the Week 14 matchup with the Denver Broncos due to a wave of illnesses. Unfortunately, the Lions offense will be without its top two passing targets due to injuries.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson will not play in Denver. He was part of the Lions’ inactive player list. Hockenson was listed as doubtful on the final injury report on Friday and the hand injury will indeed keep the Pro Bowl TE out.

Running back D’Andre Swift, the team’s top target when he plays, was previously ruled out with a shoulder injury. OLB Julian Okwara and LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin are also out with injuries. The only healthy scratches are QB David Blough and WR Trinity Benson, who the Lions acquired via trade from the Broncos over the summer.

D’Andre Swift ruled OUT for Lions’ Week 14 game against the Broncos

Swift has been ruled out for Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell ended any potential drama with the status of running back D’Andre Swift. The Lions officially ruled out Swift for Sunday’s game in Denver against the Broncos.

Swift has been dealing with an ailing shoulder suffered in the Lions’ Week 10 tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has missed the last three full games and will also miss out on Week 14.

Coach Campbell had downplayed the chances for Swift to get back into the lineup earlier on Friday.

“I would say it’s unlikely. I would say right now it’s unlikely,” Campbell said before Friday’s practice. Swift was then ruled out on the final injury report.

Jamaal Williams has taken over as the lead back in Swift’s absence. Rookie Jermar Jefferson and converted safety Godwin Igwebuike saw more action in the Week 13 win over the Vikings and could be in line for more expanded roles in Denver, too.

Lions injury update: 21 players sit out practice, most due to illness

21 players sit out Thursday’s Detroit Lions practice session, most due to an illness outbreak

Any hope of the Detroit Lions getting healthier after several players sat out Wednesday’s practice session was dashed on Thursday. The Lions added quite a few more players to the no participation list for the second practice in advance of the Week 14 trip to the Denver Broncos.

A full 21 players did not practice on Thursday, and that figure does not include rookie CB Bobby Price. The Lions placed Price on the reserve/COVID-19 list one day after he missed practice. Price joins starting center Evan Brown on the list. Several of the players were designated with “not injury related” status, an indication they were given time off to help prevent getting sick.

Of the 21 players who sat out, only five were directly due to injuries. The rest were held out by the team in hopes of staving off further ravaging by the undisclosed illness. Coach Dan Campbell indicated on Wednesday that it was not COVID-19, but Price’s updated status calls that into question.

Quarterback Jared Goff did return to practice, the only player who was sidelined with illness on Wednesday to appear on Thursday.

 

Of the actual injured Lions, tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back D’Andre Swift both sat out. Hockenson did indicate that there were no broken bones in his injured hand and that he expects to play vs. the Broncos. Swift’s status remains cloudy with one more practice before the team makes the official game designation.

Lions Wire fantasy football weekly: 2021 Week 14 preview

Our Derek Okrie breaks down the fantasy football matchups for the Lions and the rest of the Week 14 NFL schedule

Have you ever had that final player in your lineup that was going to determine if you win or lose your matchup? Maybe they only need a few points or instead, maybe they need a monster game to make your team victorious in the end. These moments can be very intense in fantasy football.

Some owners needed Tyreek Hill (WR Chiefs) to only score a few points last week to win their fantasy matchup, but in the end, he only had a couple of catches and let most of his fantasy owners down who were counting on him. These are the ups and downs that are experienced on a weekly basis in fantasy football, but that is also what makes winning at the buzzer so enthralling.

Lions at Broncos fantasy focus

Winning can cure everything. You hear that a lot, but in the NFL it can certainly be true when winning is so hard to do. The Detroit Lions won on the final play last week against the Minnesota Vikings for their first win of the season.

This week they head to Denver and you would expect the weather to be rough in mid-December, but it should actually be very nice weather for this game. Can Jared Goff build off his best game of the year, and can Amon-Ra St. Brown follow up his 10-catch performance from a fantasy perspective?

The Broncos have a quality roster, but often they don’t play top-quality football when they hit the field. They have some good fantasy players at the skill positions. Noah Fant (TE), Courtland Sutton (WR), Jerry Jeudy (WR), and Javonta Williams (RB) are the top names the Lions need to be concerned about.

This game would seem to come down to the Lions offense against the Broncos defense. If the Lions can have another offensive game like they did last week against the Vikings they have a chance, but it would appear on paper that Denver might be hard to beat at the buzzer in this matchup.

Start

  • Russell Wilson at Texans
  • Tony Pollard at Washington
  • Terry McLaurin at Cowboys
  • Noah Fant vs Lions

Sit

  • Ryan Tannehill vs Jaguars
  • Mike Davis at Panthers
  • Marquise Brown at Browns
  • Tyler Higbee at Cardinals

Top 3 projected players by position

Quarterbacks

  • Josh Allen at Buccaneers
  • Taysom Hill at Jets
  • Lamar Jackson at Browns

Running Backs

  • Joe Mixon vs 49ers
  • Alexander Mattison vs Steelers
  • Austin Ekeler vs Giants

Wide Receivers

  • Cooper Kupp at Cardinals
  • Justin Jefferson vs Steelers
  • Tyreek Hill vs Raiders

Tight Ends

  • Travis Kelce vs Raiders
  • Mark Andrews at Browns
  • George Kittle at Bengals

Team Defenses

  • Saints at Jets
  • Seahawks at Texans
  • Packers vs Bears

Kickers

  • Greg Joseph vs Steelers
  • Mason Crosby vs Bears
  • Harrison Butker vs Raiders

Waiver wire options

  • Gardner Minshew (QB Eagles)
  • Teddy Bridgewater (QB Broncos)
  • Tevin Coleman (RB Jets)
  • Javonte Williams (RB Broncos)
  • Laviska Shenault (WR Jaguars)
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR Lions)
  • Ryan Griffin (TE Jets)
  • Anthony Firkser (TE Titans)

Intriguing games and players in Week 14

(Week 14 Bye Weeks: Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles) 

Pittsburgh at Minnesota, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST

  • PIT: Pat Friermuth (TE), Najee Harris (RB)
  • MIN: Kirk Cousins (QB), Alexander Mattison (RB)

Baltimore at Cleveland, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • BAL: Lamar Jackson (QB), Mark Andrews (TE)
  • CLE: Baker Mayfield (QB), Nick Chubb (RB)

Las Vegas at Kansas City, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • LVR: Derek Carr (QB), Josh Jacobs (RB)
  • KC: Patrick Mahomes (QB), Tyreek Hill (WR)

Dallas at Washington, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • DAL: Dak Prescott (QB), CeeDee Lamb (WR)
  • WFT: Terry McLaurin (WR), Antonio Gibson (RB)

Detroit at Denver, Sunday 4:05 PM, EST

  • DET: Jared Goff (QB), D’Andre Swift (RB)
  • DEN: Javonte Williams (RB), Jerry Jeudy (WR)

Buffalo at Tampa Bay, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

  • BUF: Josh Allen (QB), Stefon Diggs (WR)
  • TB: Tom Brady (QB), Chris Godwin (WR)

Chicago at Green Bay, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST

  • CHI: David Montgomery (RB), Darnell Moody (WR)
  • GB: Aaron Rodgers (QB), A.J. Dillon (RB)

LA Rams at Arizona, Monday 8:15 PM, EST

  • LAR: Matthew Stafford (QB), Van Jefferson (WR)
  • AZ: Kyler Murray (QB), Deandre Hopkins (WR)

Bottom Line

Some of the most memorable sports wins are those ones that come on the final play. One play determines if you win or lose. These can also be some of the most exciting or deflating in fantasy football as well.

In the midst of a tough fantasy football season, spoiling another team’s playoff hopes can be fun. No one likes losing, but the wins or losses on the final play are always more memorable either way.

Winning cures everything. The Detroit Lions felt that last week while the Minnesota Vikings had to feel the sting of a last-second loss. Who will shock the NFL this week and who will make that final play for your fantasy team for the win? Another huge week with gigantic implications for many teams across all platforms in fantasy football.

Lions inactive players vs. Vikings: D’Andre Swift, Jalen Reeves-Maybin among the list

Lions inactive players vs. Vikings: D’Andre Swift, Jalen Reeves-Maybin among the list

There weren’t many surprises on the Detroit Lions’ inactive player list for the Week 13 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. With four players already ruled out due to injuries, it was a pretty easy one to predict.

The primary names are running back D’Andre Swift and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who starts on defense and also is a critical piece on special teams. Both were ruled out with injuries during the team’s final injury report for the week.

The Lions are keeping just two QBs active for this game with David Blough a healthy scratch. He has not played this season.

Reserve tackle Matt Nelson is battling an ankle injury that will keep him out. He was quite effective as an extra blocker when he was healthy.

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Lions final injury report for Week 13 vs. Vikings: Swift out, Sewell questionable

Lions final injury report for Week 13 vs. Vikings: RB D’Andre Swift out, RT Penei Sewell questionable

The Detroit Lions offense could be at a disadvantage on Sunday when the Minnesota Vikings visit Ford Field for the Week 13 matchup. Versatile running back D’Andre Swift is one of four Lions ruled out for the game with injury, and right tackle Penei Sewell is listed as questionable.

Swift was expected to be out after injuring his shoulder in the Week 12 loss to the Bears. He will be joined on the sidelines by starting OLB Trey Flowers (knee), starting MLB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder) and reserve DB Bobby Price (shoulder).

Sewell missed one practice this week with an undisclosed illness, as did WR KhaDarel Hodge. Sewell is listed as questionable for the game after being limited in the other two practice sessions, while Hodge carries no designation.

Reserve tackle Matt Nelson, who would project to start if Sewell can’t play, is also questionable as he returns from an ankle injury. Will Holden is the only other tackle on the roster aside from starting LT Taylor Decker, though the Lions do have veterans Dan Skipper and Parker Ehinger on the practice squad. Ehinger was active for last week’s game.

Veteran DE Michael Brockers is also questionable with a knee injury that left him limited all week. On a more positive note, starting RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai has cleared the NFL concussion protocols and will start against Minnesota.

 

Lions injury update: Penei Sewell returns to practice, D’Andre Swift remains sidelined

Sewell and WR KhaDarel Hodge were back on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session with an illness

There was a sigh of relief for Thursday’s Detroit Lions practice in Allen Park. Starting right tackle Penei Sewell returned from his one-day absence and was back in action in the penultimate session of Week 13 preparation.

Sewell and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge were both back as limited participants after sitting out Wednesday’s practice with an undisclosed illness.

Four Lions remained out, however. When head coach Dan Campbell advised the media early in the week that running back D’Andre Swift wasn’t likely to play, he meant it. Swift remains out with a shoulder injury suffered in the Thanksgiving loss to the Bears. Starting linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin is also sidelined, as are OLB Trey Flowers and CB Bobby Price. Wide receiver Trinity Benson upgraded from limited participant to a full practice.

Lions Wire fantasy football weekly: 2021 Week 13 preview

Breaking down the Week 13 fantasy football options

Timeout. Timeout. Oh wait, that would be a penalty that might cost you a win in the NFL but we need a double timeout to discuss some very impactful fantasy football injuries.

Last week the following players were injured which probably cost many fantasy owners a win: Christian McCaffrey (RB Panthers), Dalvin Cook (RB Vikings), D’Andre Swift (RB Lions), and others.

The fantasy playoffs are around the corner and these injuries have created a sense of pause and panic across all fantasy leagues. The backups for those injured running backs and other depth players will determine fantasy championships these next few weeks.

Lions vs Vikings fantasy focus

Speaking of timeouts, injuries, and depth that brings up this matchup where the Minnesota Vikings are traveling to Detroit to face the Lions. No D’Andre Swift and no Dalvin Cook will be a severe blow to each team.

The Vikings seem to have the offensive firepower to make up for that loss of Cook at running back, but it doesn’t appear the Lions have those same replacement quality players on their side. Who can account for this loss best will go a long way to determining who wins this matchup.

Fantasy players to focus on in this matchup for the Lions would be Jamaal Williams (RB), T.J. Hockenson (TE), Josh Reynolds (WR), and Amon Ra St. Brown (WR). The Vikings key fantasy players will feature Justin Jefferson (WR), Alexander Mattison (RB), and Adam Thielen (WR).

Expect this one to be a potentially lopsided game in favor of the Vikings. Detroit is still searching for their first win and they would love to get that in front of the home fans at Ford Field. Jared Goff will have to play better than he ever has as quarterback for the Lions to help them find a win. These teams are familiar and the outcome might again be familiar on Sunday when this one is all said and done.

Start

  • Matthew Stafford at Jaguars
  • Alexander Mattison vs Lions
  • Brandin Cooks vs Colts
  • Noah Fant at Chiefs

Sit

  • Matt Ryan vs Buccaneers
  • David Montgomery vs Cardinals
  • Mike Williams at Bengals
  • Dalton Schultz vs Saints

Top 3 projected players by position

Quarterbacks

  • Lamar Jackson at Steelers
  • Jalen Hurts at Jets
  • Justin Herbert at Bengals

Running Backs

  • Johnathan Taylor at Texans
  • Joe Mixon vs Chargers
  • James Conner at Bears

Wide Receivers

  • Cooper Kupp at Jaguars
  • Tyreek Hill vs Broncos
  • Justin Jefferson at Lions

Tight Ends

  • Travis Kelce at Broncos
  • Mark Andrews at Steelers
  • George Kittle at Seahawks

Team Defenses

  • Cardinals at Bears
  • Eagles at Jets
  • Buccaneers at Falcons

Kickers

  • Nick Folk at Bills
  • Daniel Carlson vs Washington
  • Chris Boswell vs Ravens

Waiver wire options

  • Zach Wilson (QB Jets)
  • Taysom Hill (QB Saints)
  • Matt Breida (RB Bills)
  • Ty Johnson (RB Jets)
  • Laviska Shenault (WR Jaguars)
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR Lions)
  • Logan Thomas (TE Washington)
  • Jared Cook (TE Chargers)

Intriguing games and players in Week 13

(Week 13 Bye Weeks: Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans) 

Dallas at New Orleans, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST

  • DAL: Dak Prescott (QB), Tony Pollard (RB)
  • NO: Taysom Hill (QB), Alvin Kamara (RB)

LA Chargers at Cincinnati, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • LAC: Justin Herbert (QB), Mike Williams (WR)
  • CIN: Joe Burrow (QB), Ja’Marr Chase (WR)

Minnesota at Detroit, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • MIN: Justin Jefferson (WR), Kirk Cousins (QB)
  • DET: Amon Ra St-Brown (WR), Josh Reynolds (WR)

Arizona at Chicago, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • AZ: Kyler Murray (QB), DeAndre Hopkins (WR)
  • CHI: David Montgomery (RB), Darnell Mooney (WR)

Washington at Las Vegas, Sunday 4:05 PM, EST

  • WFT: Antonio Gibson (RB), Logan Thomas (TE)
  • LVR: Derek Carr (QB), DeSean Jackson (WR)

Baltimore at Pittsburgh, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

  • BAL: Lamar Jackson (QB), Marquise Brown (WR)
  • PIT: Najee Harris (RB), Chase Claypool (WR)

Denver at Kansas City, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST

  • DEN: Javonte Williams (RB), Courtland Sutton (WR)
  • KC: Patrick Mahomes (QB), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB)

New England at Buffalo, Monday 8:15 PM, EST

  • NE: Mac Jones (QB), Jakobi Meyers (WR)
  • BUF: Josh Allen (QB), Stefon Diggs (WR)

Bottom Line

There are no timeouts in fantasy football. There also are no substitutions when one of your top players gets hurt early in the game. You have to fight through it in fantasy football and hope some of your other players help with that next fantasy player up type mentality.

When a top NFL player goes down for a team, they have to scramble to look for a replacement or hope that the next man on the depth chart can compensate for the loss. The Detroit Lions will have to do that by hoping Jamaal Williams can carry the load while D’Andre Swift is out.

How will you replace your top players that are hurt headed into the fantasy playoffs? First, look at your current roster and see if you have a suitable replacement on your depth chart. If not, you are going to have to scramble to try to find someone that can help you overcome. No timeouts, no way to avoid injuries, but there still are many ways to win both in the NFL and in the fantasy football playoffs.