Injury report: ‘No concerns’ about D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams injuries

Duce Staley downplayed injuries at running back, won’t limit them moving forward.

The Detroit Lions were back out on the practice field on Friday, preparing for their Monday night matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Not much changed from yesterday’s report, but there is some more clarity among the running backs who have been limited this week.

Let’s take a closer look.

No practice on Friday

• WR Tyrell Williams (concussion)
• DL Kevin Strong (concussion)

Williams and Strong have been unable to practice all week, and per the league’s five-step concussion protocol rules, it appears neither will be able to be cleared by Monday night.

With Williams expected to be ruled out, offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said he expects snap increases for Amon-Ra St. Brown and Trinity Benson, as well as Tom Kennedy being active on game day.

“Benson is getting better every practice,” Lynn said on Friday. “We threw him out there last week, I think he had been here for three days, and he did a good job for the length of time that he’s been here, but he’s gotten better. So, he will play more. He will see more reps and Saint’s reps will go up this week. We’ll see what happens. Kennedy, I believe he’s going to play this week.”

Limited practice

• RB D’Andre Swift (Groin)
• RB Jamaal Williams (Chest)
• EDGE Trey Flowers (Shoulder)
• EDGE Romeo Okwara (Shoulder)
• DL Michael Brockers (Shoulder)

Lions running back coach/assistant head coach Duce Staley told the media that there is “no concern” over the health of Swift or Williams, and even went as far as to say that he doesn’t feel the need to limit Swift’s snaps moving forward.

“Yeah, I don’t think we’re going to have to manage his reps,” Staley said of Swift. “Of course, you know about the groin already because you spoke of it, and he’s done a great job of dealing with it. Our training staff has done a great job getting him prepped and ready to play. I don’t think we’re going to have to manage him.”

Full practice

• DL Levi Onwuzurike (hip)

Coach Dan Campbell said on Thursday that Onwuzurike was trending towards playing this week and back-to-back full practices certainly supports that. On Friday, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn spoke about what it would mean to get him back on the field.

“Big, physical, twitchy, D-lineman that you like to have in run or pass situations,” Glenn said. “He has great length, he’s able to stack and shed, he’s able to get out of the paint and be able to go make plays in space also. So that’s what we’re looking for, that’s why we drafted him. So if we can get that player on the field, that would be a good chance to evaluate him.”