D.J. Swearinger Sr.

Saints safety D.J. Swearinger will miss Sunday's contest against the Panthers due to COVID-19.

Fantasy Impact

Another member of the Saints' organization is going to miss Week 17 due to COVID-19 and the game overall is going to miss a lot of star power on both sides. Swearinger will need to pass protocols before being ready to play in the first round of the playoffs.

D.J. Swearinger Sr. is signing a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Saints.

Fantasy Impact

Swearinger originally signed with the Saints back on Week 15 of the 2019 season. The team ultimately decided to re-sign him to a one-year deal. Swearinger totaled 50 tackles across nine games for the Raiders/Cardinals/Saints last season. He will provide the Saints depth at safety and is an option in deep-league IDP formats only.

Former Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger announced on Twitter Tuesday that he is heading back to the Cardinals. Arizona claimed the outspoken safety off waivers one day after his departure from Washington.

Fantasy Impact

Swearinger was let go by the Redskins following his comments critical of Washington defensive coordinator Greg Manusky following Week 16’s loss to the Titans. Arizona assumes the remainder of his 2018 salay and is on the books for his $4.5 million salary and $250,000 roster bonus for 2019. Swearinger spent part of 2015 and all of 2016 with the Cardinals before signing with Washington in 2017.

After Saturday’s loss to the Titans, Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger was critical of defensive coordinator Greg Manusky’s play calls on the drive that resulted in Tennessee’s go-ahead score. As a result, the team decided to part ways with the outspoken safety on Monday. Swearinger was upset that Manusky was calling man-to-man defenses against Tennessee’s backup quarterback rather than zone. “In that type of situation, you got a backup quarterback, I wouldn’t call man-to-man to make it easy for him,” Swearinger said following the game, via NBC Sports Washington. “He hadn’t practiced all week. So, disguise a zone and let him throw the ball right to us. We didn’t make the plays we needed to, but when it’s crunch time, put us somewhere where we can make a play. Don’t put us in man-to-man where it’s easy for the quarterback. It’s too easy for the quarterback.” It was not the first time he publicly criticized Redskins coaches.

Fantasy Impact

During a radio appearance on 106.7 The Fan Monday morning, Swearinger took a few more shots on his way out the door. “I don’t have words for this. I had a Pro Bowl year. I was a captain in year one, and this year I thought I improved on everything and I did a slap in the face and get released. I gave it my all and put my heart into it every single week to the best I could. I guess it says a lot about the organization...It’s not rocket science why I wasn’t captain. I’m a vocal guy, passionate guy that wants to win. If the coaches feel I’m too smart or a weapon as far as my smarts are concerned...they got to release the guy that has knowledge or has respect in the locker room I guess.” Swearinger, who was named as a Pro Bowl alternate last week, had on year left on his contract before his release.

D.J. Swearinger picked up three solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in Washington's Week 7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Fantasy Impact

Swearinger's production so far in 2018 is mediocre on average, but he's playing well for the Washington defense. With Alex Smith's ball-control offense, the defense just isn't getting many opportunities to accumulate numbers.