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Lions RB D'Andre Swift (shoulder/ankle) 'pushing' to play

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift has missed the past two games with a shoulder/ankle injury but returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday and says he's "pushing towards" a return Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

Swift described the rehab process as being "tough" but continues to take it day by day.

He acknowledged that his shoulder is giving him the most pain lately and that, although his ankle is getting better, both are still giving him problems.

Coach Dan Campbell said Swift is doing "a little better."

Swift sprained his ankle during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1, then hurt his shoulder at the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.

"Just trying to push through, and if it's something minor and something I can push through, I will, no questions asked," Swift said. "I'm going to be out there, no questions asked, but some things you kind of got to let heal if you don't want to make it worse."

Last week, Swift said he inquired about playing in a shoulder harness, but after doing more research said he now feels that it won't help with his specific type of shoulder injury.

"I'm not sure that's the best way to go about it," Swift said. "I think it's more padding and stuff like that."

Swift entered his third season with high expectations and got off to a strong start in the first few games, averaging a career-best 8.6 yards per carry.

He also produced single rushing gains of 50-plus yards in consecutive games -- the first time a Detroit running back has done that since Lions great Barry Sanders in 1997 -- while racking up 231 yards on 27 attempts. He's looking to get back on track when he returns.

"I can't do nothing but control what I can control," Swift said. "That's come in here every day, attack rehab, get back out there today, build on that tomorrow and keep going from there. You can't really sulk about it, can't be sad about it, it's football. It's what I signed up for."