The Philadelphia Eagles have been looking for someone to take the reigns of the backfield after losing star running back Miles Sanders this offseason. And former Detriot Lions running back D’Andre Swift did just that in Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Eagles traded with the Lions for Swift this offseason, sending a 2025 fourth-round pick to Detroit for the former 2020 second-round pick.
Swift saw minimal action in the Eagles Week 1 win over the New England Patriots, receiving only one rushing attempt, largely taking a backseat to veteran running back Kenneth Gainwell.
Gainwell was ruled out ahead of Thursday’s game with an injury, giving Swift an opportunity to start in his place. And Swift certainly made the most of his chance.
Swift dominated all night thanks to the terrific run blocking of the Eagles offensive line, rushing for a career-high 175 yards on 28 attempts and recorded his first touchdown in Philadelphia.
Welcome to the Eagles, D'Andre Swift.
25 carries for 170 yards, 1 touchdown. 🏈🦅🔥 #TNF pic.twitter.com/U7RUUve2W4
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 15, 2023
Swift was always a player with a ton of upside and promise when he was a member of the Lions. But it never quite clicked for him there, and Eagles fans are now hopeful that he can be a huge part of another promising year in Philadelphia.
Eagles traded a 2025 4th-round pick for D'Andre Swift in April…
Tonight he rushed for a career-high 175 YDS 🦅
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/ATeZGHazKR— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 15, 2023
D'Andre Swift ran for a career-high 175 yards and a TD on 28 carries in his first start for the Eagles (+41 rushing yards over expected).
Swift recorded the 8th-highest success rate (64.3%) by any player with 25+ carries in a game since 2016.
Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/jnroQuzGWb
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 15, 2023
D'Andre Swift:
– 25 carries
– 170 yards
– TDWhat. A. Night!#Eaglespic.twitter.com/oqIVIPtsG3
— Thomas R. Petersen (@thomasrp93) September 15, 2023
Career night for Philadelphia’s own D’Andre Swift. pic.twitter.com/UI3mG5Q1w6
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) September 15, 2023
WELCOME HOME D'ANDRE SWIFT
pic.twitter.com/S0lOPmfXVG— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) September 15, 2023
D’Andre Swift tonight:
– 25 carries
– 170 yards
– 6.8 YPC
– 1 TDRB1 moving forward. No doubt about it. pic.twitter.com/6p0uZu8MNB
— Word On The Birds (@WordOnTheBirds) September 15, 2023
Swift’s performance is actually the best that we have seen from an Eagles running back in quite some time. His 175 rushing yards are the most of an Eagles running back since LeSean McCoy put up 217 rushing yards in 2013.
D'Andre Swift has the most rushing yards in game by an Eagle since LeSean McCoy in 2013 🔥🦅 pic.twitter.com/6WEPr3PI6c
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 15, 2023
McCoy was notably a first-team All-Pro in that 2013 season, so maybe we can see this type of season from Swift if the Eagles continue to feature him as their starting running back for the rest of the year.
