The Chicago Bears face potential disruption to their backfield following a stellar performance from their veteran running back last week. D’Andre Swift appeared to be hitting his stride after an outstanding showing against Washington on Monday Night Football. However, a surprising development during Thursday’s practice has created uncertainty about his availability. Should fantasy football managers be concerned about their productive running back heading into Week 7?
D’Andre Swift Injury Update
Swift delivered his best performance of the season and perhaps in years during Monday’s thrilling 25-24 victory over Washington. The veteran running back accumulated 175 total yards and a touchdown, posting 25.5 fantasy points while demonstrating the explosive ability that made him a coveted free agent signing.​
Wednesday brought encouraging news when Swift participated in a full practice session without any injury designations or limitations. He appeared completely healthy and ready to build on his breakthrough performance against the Saints.​
However, Thursday brought concerning developments when Swift was listed as a limited participant on the injury report with a groin issue. This represented an especially troubling mid-week downgrade, as Swift went from full participation to limited status in just 24 hours.​
Friday brought clarification when Swift continued as a limited participant and was officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest against New Orleans. However, the circumstances surrounding his injury became clearer throughout the week.​
According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Swift told reporters that he will play against New Orleans. The running back revealed that the groin injury is one that came from the Commanders game but isn’t one he thinks will affect him in the actual contest.​
Head coach Ben Johnson confirmed that Swift’s groin injury isn’t something new from practice, clarifying that the issue originated during Monday night’s game rather than during the week’s practice sessions. Swift explained that he was limited on Thursday and Friday more as a product of maintenance than anything else, suggesting the team is simply being cautious with their star back.​
The revelation that the injury occurred during the Commanders game but didn’t prevent Swift from finishing the contest indicates it’s a manageable issue rather than something that would threaten his availability for Sunday.
Swift Fantasy Outlook
The 55-yard touchdown reception took Swift’s day on Monday from good-to-great, the third time he has scored in four weeks and the second 40+ yard reception this season.
Yards Per Carry Before First Contact
Week 3 vs. Dallas: -0.08
Week 4 at Las Vegas: 0.71
Week 6 at Washington: 4.71
It truly is amazing what happens when you give an above-average running back a chance to succeed.
The Saints are a middle-of-the-pack run defense in terms of success rate, and that probably means that Monday’s level of success on the ground doesn’t stick (14 carries for 108 yards), but with 3+ targets in every game, I think the floor is high enough to start him weekly without much thought.
I have Swift ranked ahead of J.K. Dobbins (vs. NYG) and Kimani Vidal (vs. IND) if you’re looking to stack up the RB2s for Week 7.
— PFSN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe
