DETROIT -- There were plenty of defensive players available when the Detroit Lions were on the clock in the third round of May's draft. And the Lions were thought to have some big-time needs on defense, especially in the secondary.
But they really liked what they saw in Travis Swanson, a center out of Arkansas. They thought he could be the future of their interior offensive line.
And now that future appears to have arrived a lot quicker than anyone expected.
Right guard Larry Warford suffered a knee injury during the first series of a 20-16 win Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. He will miss several weeks, including Sunday's tilt in Arizona against the NFL-leading Cardinals (8-1).
That means it's Swanson time.
He is being groomed as Detroit's center-in-waiting, whenever Dominic Raiola moves on, but is also the top reserve at guard. He replaced Warford against Miami, and acquitted himself nicely under tough circumstances.
There were a few blips -- including a holding penalty, which was declined, and three QB hurries -- but he also ranked as Detroit's best run blocker, per ProFootballFocus. And he did so against a Miami defense that ranked third in the league.
"I thought he played awesome," said Raiola, who lined up next to Swanson. "Few things here and there, but for your first (extensive action in an) NFL game, thrown in against the third-ranked defense, thought he did a great job."
Warford was terrific as a rookie last year, when he played every offensive snap without allowing a sack. That's a tough act to follow.
But Swanson showed signs against Miami that he's up for the task. He'll be in the starting lineup this week against Arizona, and practice-squad lineman Rodney Austin could be promoted to be his backup.
"Felt good," Swanson said. "Obviously got to get your feet wet those first few plays out there. Got a lot to learn. They always say if someone goes down, next man up, and I always prepare like I'm going to start, because you're one play away."
The Lions also lost right tackle LaAdrian Waddle in the second half of the game. Cornelius Lucas took his place.
That means Detroit mounted its fourth-quarter comeback against Miami with an all-rookie alignment on the right side of the offensive line. Stafford completed 8 of 11 passes on the final drive, and was not sacked.
"I'm proud of those guys," Raiola said. "I was proud of those guys for stepping up and owning it. And shoot, we had to go down and win the game. And we did."
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Source: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/11/travis_swanson_impresses_while.html
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