Jermar

Jefferson

It’s about time. Reynolds has thoroughly impressed over the past two weeks with Jamaal Williams (COVID-19) and D’Andre Swift (shoulder) sidelined. He has 195 yards on 37 rushing attempts over those two games. In Detroit’s upset win over the Cardinals in Week 15, Reynolds continually made something out of nothing, often bulldozing Arizona defenders and breaking out of arm tackles for extra yardage. He’s an intriguing waiver add in the Lions’ run-heavy offense.

Jefferson, who came into the game battling an ankle issue and a non-COVID illness, only spelled lead back Craig Reynolds against the Cardinals. Jefferson is a decent stash in deeper fantasy formats in case Jamaal Williams (COVID-19) misses more time and Reynolds gets dinged up.

Reynolds has been a revelation since seizing the Lions’ starting gig last week against the Broncos. He has 37 to rushing attempts for 195 yards over those two games with Jamaal Williams on the COVID-19 list and D’Andre Swift out with a shoulder injury. No other Lions back saw more than five rushes against the run-funnel Cardinals. Reynolds slipped through arm tackles and ran aggressively from start to finish. A workhorse role in the run-heavy Detroit offense makes Reynolds an intriguing waiver wire add if he’s still available in your league. If his workload holds up next week against Atlanta, he’ll have a good shot at a touchdown.

Williams will miss a second straight game on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The Lions did not active Williams off the list on Saturday. Detroit’s backfield will likely be split between Craig Reynold and Godwin Igwebuike, with Jermar Jefferson sprinkled in. Reynolds led the backfield in touches last week against the Broncos.

“Jermar had the ankle and everything. He started the week. He was another kid that had flu. So he wasn’t even around and so we just trusted Craig [Reynolds].” Campbell made it sound like Detroit’s backfield plan was a seat-of-pants decision. The Lions’ coach put part of the Week 14 loss on Godwin Igwebuike’s drive killing fumble in the third quarter. Jefferson was active but played three snaps, while Reynolds, on the practice squad until this week, led the team with 13 touches. With D’Andre Swift a candidate for IR and Jamaal Williams (COVID) potentially shut down, the Lions look intent to mothball Jefferson, who they traded up to draft and has two touchdowns on 10 carries this season.

D’Andre Swift is looking likely to be placed on IR, while Jamaal Williams (reserve/COVID) is out this week and in danger of missing Week 15. With Williams playing through injuries even before going on the COVID list and only $1.6M of his 2022 salary guaranteed, it makes sense for the Lions to see what they have in Jefferson and Godwin, who have flashed on limited touches. Jefferson is the early-down pivot for Williams, though game script could lead to PPR value for both backs.

Swift, who was never given a timetable after going down in Detroit’s Thanksgiving game, was an early rule out the last two weeks. With only three games remaining, the Lions would be shutting him down for the season. Detroit will also be without Jamaal Williams (reserve/COVID) this week and potentially beyond, leaving rookie Jermar Jefferson in line for his first career start. Godwin Igwebuike has served as the Lions’ pass-down back with Swift sidelined and will also see an expanded role, while Craig Reynolds should be active as the No. 3 back.

Jefferson returned in Week 12 but was limited to five snaps. With D’Andre Swift (shoulder) out, there should be an expanded role for Jefferson, who scored in both games Jamaal Williams missed earlier this year. The Lions coaching staff has talked up a heavy workload for Williams and there’s still health concerns with Jefferson, but the rookie should mix in with Williams and is a hedge on a potential multi-week absence for Swift.

Coach Dan Campbell already said it was “unlikely” Swift would play, so this is not a surprise. Unable to practice all week, it is not a given Swift is ready to go next week. With Jamaal Williams on the COVID list, Detroit will turn to Jermar Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike in the backfield.

Swift, who picked up the shoulder injury on Thanksgiving, didn’t practice all week. He’s at least another week away from returning as the Lions’ lead back. Jamaal Williams in Week 13 saw his assumed workhorse role fall to the wayside with Godwin Igwebuike running more pass routes and seeing more targets than Williams. Jermar Jefferson also mixed into the Detroit backfield in their Week 13 win over Minnesota. Without the backfield pass catching role, Williams is a touchdown-dependent RB3 against Denver in what could be another pass-heavy game script for Jared Goff and the Lions.