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Fantasy managers who used an early-round pick on Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift have undoubtedly been scrambling to fill the void of his absence the last two weeks if they didn’t also draft Jamaal Williams.
In the team’s first two games, Swift logged at least a 51% snap share and had 20 carries for 200 yards and a rushing touchdown with five receptions (on eight targets) for 62 yards and a receiving touchdown. Swift was injured during Week 3’s game against the Vikings and was inactive in Week 4’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Is D’Andre Swift injured or playing? Should you start Jamaal Williams in Week 5? Find the answers to set your fantasy lineups this week below.
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Is D’Andre Swift Injured or Playing?
D’Andre Swift hasn’t practiced or played in a game since Week 3’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings due to a shoulder injury. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, it seems like they will be without their early draft pick for a while longer.
The third-year running back hasn’t practiced again this week after missing Week 4’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Based on practice reports (and the message coming out of the organization), it seems like Detroit is content holding out the running back until he is completely healthy. That indicates that Swift will miss Week 5’s game against the Patriots, especially since he will have a Week 6 bye to heal.
Detroit is a better team with their explosive running back, but they are taking a big-picture approach before utilizing him again in their lineup.
Should I Start Jamaal Williams in Week 5?
With Swift looking like he will be inactive again in Week 5, Jamaal Williams will once again be the lead back for the Lions. Williams led Detroit’s running back rotation in Week 4, finishing with 19 carries for 108 yards and two touchdowns while adding one reception for one yard through the air. Williams is still splitting carries in the backfield, but he’s seen a noticeable uptick in his usage the last two weeks without Swift.
Through the first two weeks of the season (with Swift healthy), Williams averaged a 33.5% snap share. That workload equated to 11.5 carries and 40.5 rushing yards per game with two touchdowns scored. In the last two weeks (with Swift nursing an injury and out), Williams's snap share has jumped to 45% in Week 4 (Swift active) and 49% in Week 5 (Swift inactive).
Unsurprisingly, Williams is averaging 19.5 carries and 97.5 rushing yards in those two games. He’s scored four times during that stretch as well. The Lions will have a much more difficult matchup this week against a strong Patriots run defense. But, as long as Swift is inactive, Williams is at worst an RB2/FLEX play in all fantasy scoring formats.
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