Eagles RB D’Andre Swift Working with WRs? A Look at ‘Playmaker’ Prep

The Philadelphia Eagles unveiled an interesting tweak when D'Andre Swift worked with the receivers at practice Thursday.

PHILADELPHIA - Back in training camp, Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, a receiver during his college days at Mount Union, noted a unique ability when it comes to running back D’Andre Swift.

"I think what we've really seen is you're going to be able to move him around multiple spots because of his ability not only with his athletic ability, his quickness in and out of breaks and his speed but also the way he catches the football,” Sirianni said of Swift. “It looks like a wide receiver catching the football out there."

Throughout the summer Swift playing outside in empty sets was a familiar sight, particularly on bubble or smoke screens where Swift’s running back skills could be utilized to make the first tackler miss before getting the playmaker in space.

In theory, it seemed like another potential tool in what is an overflowing toolbox for Sirianni and offensive coordinator Brian Johnson.

Things ramped up on that front Thursday in South Philadelphia when Swift spent the individual period open to reporters working with the receivers and not the running backs.

According to Swift, it’s not the first time he’s broken off to work on his skills with WR coach Aaron Moorehead and the receivers but it was the first time he did it in front of reporters.

A couple of words of caution, though. The receivers were working directly in front of reporters and typically if there is a strategy the team doesn’t want to be disseminated those who are there are made aware to keep things dark.

In this instance, the setup was almost inviting those assembled to quickly recognize No. 0 was working outside his normal purview and to capture both video and photographic evidence of it.

It was similar to last season when Jalen Hurts injured his shoulder in Chicago and would trot out to practice giving the appearance he might play despite the quarterback missing two weeks.

The Eagles had no plans to push Hurts in his return from a painful SC joint injury but wanted the possibility to be floated out there.

Nothing has really changed with Swift and he will get opportunities to catch the football but Thursday’s shift to the receiver group smelled of gamesmanship in advance of Sunday's season opener at New England in the hopes of making Bill Belichick and Company spend some time on something that’s probably not a large part of the game plan cobbled together by Sirianni and his top offensive lieutenants.

"He is a playmaker," Sirianni said of Swift. "You see it in practice that he can create mismatches that when you get him the football, he can catch the football and make plays with it.

Swift is likely going to spilt duties in the backfield with Kenny Gainwell against the Patriots and the Eagles are light at receiver on the 53-man roster, carrying their two stars A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith as well as backups Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus.

Punt returner and slot receiver Britain Covey is expected to be elevated from the practice squad as well, according to a team source.

Special teams coordinator Michael Clay also hinted at that outcome earlier Thursday.

Punter and punt returner? I think we all kind of know who that is at this point," Clay said. "Only a few people on the roster that can punt (Arryn Siposs) and punt return. We obviously know that’s our situation."