Swift demonstrates he can carry Detroit’s offense

The Detroit Lions were planning on rushing the football heavily against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With the decision being made to allow head coach Dan Campbell to call offensive plays, the ability to rush the football effectively was imperative for Detroit to be able to compete against a quality AFC opponent.

What was not expected was for second-year running back D’Andre Swift to carry the football on 33 occasions.

“It was good for him to get that. I don’t think you typically see or think that way with him, but it was good that he got a load because I think — here’s what sometimes gets lost, and we got to remember it as a staff, he’s a second year player that didn’t play very much last year,” head coach Dan Campbell explained. “He’s still learning. He’ll be the first to tell you there’s runs

on that tape where there’s so much meat on the bone that’s left. He could have had even more than he had, and he knows that.”

Against the Steelers, the expectation was that Swift

and rookie Jermar Jefferson would split carries, but an early injury forced the Lions to rely upon their former second-round draft pick.

On the afternoon, Swift

carried the football 33 times for 130 yards and recorded three receptions for five yards.

While the team was not expecting to utilize him to that degree, the coaching staff recognized that Swift had the “hot-hand” against the Steelers defense.

“The growth that you saw in his vision and being able to read these plays, and then do what he does once he’s able to break a tackle or get in space, that’s all him,” said Campbell.

“But, I don’t think you typically — that wouldn’t be the first thing I would think is he’s going to get 30 or 35 carries.

“We thought Jermar (Jefferson) was going to help and those guys are going to share the load a little bit. And it didn’t work out when Jermar went down. And then Swift’s hot. It’s hard to take out a hot-hand.”

On Wednesday, it was expected that Swift will be limited at practice, but should be ready to suit up again on the road against the Cleveland Browns.

DON WRIGHT — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift rushed for a career-high 130yards on 33carries during Sunday’s tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has a combined 839yards rushing and receiving yards in his second season with the Lions along with five touchdowns.