Swift Separation: Inside D'Andre's 'Special' Move in Eagles Backfield

Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift is flashing as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, a role he excelled in when he was with the Detroit Lions

PHILADELPHIA – It was the kind of two days of practice that maybe will earn D’Andre Swift some separation in the Philadelphia Eagles running back competition, and the plays he made should come as no surprise that they happened in the passing game.

In three years with the Detroit Lions, before being shipped to Philly in a trade on the final day of last spring’s draft, Swift caught 156 passes, which is an average of a stunning 52 receptions per year.

“He has a unique ability,” said head coach Nick Sirianni. “He has unique ability, which is part of the reason why we wanted him to be on this football team. So, we really like some of the things that he can do out of the backfield as a runner and also as a receiver.

“He is showing that he has that ability of what we thought that he had when he was in Detroit and then coming out of Georgia also.”

On Friday, Swift grabbed a pair of passes out of the backfield, leaving linebacker Nicholas Morrow well in his wake coming across the field on a short pass.

On Sunday, Swift worked his way between two defenders as quarterback Jalen Hurts launched a perfect pass deep down the left sideline. Falling to the ground, Swift snared it.

“Made a check and the catch,” said Swift of the grab. “Made a check between the line and the linebackers, and he threw the ball up there, and I just went up and got it.”

He has also lined up wide on occasion and used in the screen game.

"I’m looking to perfect everything I do well, even my deficiencies," he said. "Just looking to be a better all-around football player. Like I said, that comes with just going to work every day, to get better from what I did the prior day."

Something else that separates Swift is his jersey. He is number 0, the first player in team history to do that. He said there wasn’t any significance to choosing it.

“That was the best number available,” he said, “so I went with that one. And then being from here (playing high school ball at St. Joseph’s Prep), nobody ever wore it before. So, I feel like that would be pretty cool as well.”

Sirianni said on Day 1 of training camp not to read too much into who gets what reps at the running back position because all the backs would be utilized in this Jalen Hurts-led offense. He has been mostly true to his word, with the combatants taking turns bouncing from the ones to the twos to the threes.

It’s way too early to determine the final rotation of the running backs, but when it comes time to put the jigsaw puzzle together to come up with the final 53 players to keep on the opening-day roster, the decision at the position won’t be easy.

Kenny Gainwell and Boston Scott have similar skill sets to Swift while Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks have a style similar to Penny, which is as a punisher between the tackles.

All have varying items they bring to the table, and that is something that has excited Penny.

“I think we all got really great different skill sets,” said the former Seattle Seahawks back. “We all can do different things. I’m just happy to be a part of it, and actually see it.”

Penny said he particularly enjoys watching Swift.

“He’s special,” said Penny. “I feel like he can do it all.”

Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.

Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.

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