Rookie RB D’Andre Swift ruled out, leaving the Lions with just 4 draft picks on Thanksgiving

DETROIT — The Lions were already going to be without two starting receivers. They were already going to be without their top overall draft pick, their third-round pick, probably their fourth-round pick (who hasn’t played all season), last year’s fourth-round pick, the year before that’s fourth-round pick, their fifth-round pick, their top free-agent signing, and last year’s top-free agent signing.

They were already going to be without all that.

And now they’re going to be without D’Andre Swift too.

The rookie running back was scratched from the Thanksgiving game against Houston because of a brain injury he was diagnosed with last week. He was upgraded to limited on Wednesday’s practice report and listed as questionable for the game, but without an actual practice to demonstrate his health — Detroit held just two walk-throughs this week — the club opted to hold out their second-round pick for another game.

With cornerback Jeff Okudah ruled out earlier in the week and Julian Okwara on injured reserve, the Lions are going to be without any of their top three draft picks when they try to save Matt Patricia’s job on Thanksgiving against the Texans. In fact, with fifth-round pick Jason Huntley not making it out of training camp and seventh-round pick Jashon Cornell on injured reserve, Detroit is dressing just four of its draft picks today, one of whom is offensive lineman Logan Stenberg, an offensive lineman who has yet to play a snap this season.

The only draft picks expected to actually play against Houston are Jonah Jackson, a third-round pick who will start at guard; Quintez Cephus, a fifth-round pick who will come off the bench at receiver; and John Penisini, a sixth-round pick who will come off the bench at defensive tackle.

Throw in the loss of this year’s top free-agent signing (Halapoulivaati Vaitai) and last year’s free-agent signing (Trey Flowers), plus injuries to starting receiver Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola, and the Lions have been gutted for their only nationally televised game of the season.

The rest of Detroit’s inactives: Defensive end Austin Bryant (thigh), defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (groin) and cornerback Mike Ford (brain).

Cornerback Amani Oruwariye is active for Detroit after developing a back injury on Wednesday, although with all seven inactive guys out because of injuries, it’s difficult to say just how ready he is.

Adrian Peterson is expected to earn another start for Swift at running back, although that has gone poorly since the bye week. He hasn’t rushed for 10 yards on any of his last 50 carries and gained just 18 yards on seven carries last week against Carolina.

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