Jermar Jefferson RB TEN (10) Wed 8/31/22 8:57 AM
Jermar Jefferson
RB TEN (10)
Jefferson made the Lions' initial 53-man roster Tuesday as their No. 4 running back, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
EDGE Analysis
After being outdone by Justin Jackson this preseason while seemingly offering less value on special teams than Godwin Igwebuike, Jefferson surprisingly survived roster cuts after getting beat out by Igwebuike in 2021. However, Craig Reynolds remains in the No. 3 slot, so Jefferson won't necessarily be next in line for work if something happens to D'Andre Swift or Jamaal Williams.
Jermar Jefferson RB TEN (10) Sun 8/21/22 2:48 PM
Jermar Jefferson
RB TEN (10)
Jefferson rushed seven times for 25 yards during Saturday's preseason win over Indianapolis.
EDGE Analysis
With neither of D'Andre Swift or Jamaal Williams in action, Jefferson was third to rotate in at running back behind interim starter Craig Reynolds and Justin Jackson, who gained 54 yards on the same amount of carries as Jefferson. Each of these guys plus Godwin Igwebuike should get more opportunities to prove their worth in the preseason finale next Sunday in Pittsburgh, but Jefferson seems to be headed in the wrong direction in advance of roster cuts.
Jermar Jefferson RB TEN (10) Thu 8/4/22 8:42 PM
Jermar Jefferson
RB TEN (10)
Head coach Dan Campbell specified Jefferson as a player having a productive training camp, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
After a productive career at Oregon, Jefferson failed to find his footing as a seventh-round rookie last year in Detroit. By season's end, both converted safety Godwin Igwebuike and Kutztown product Craig Reynolds had earned more snaps and game appearances than him. However, it seems that Jefferson has worked his way back into the mix this offseason, which opens the door for him to compete with Igwebuike, Reynolds and Justin Jackson for the No. 3 running back job behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.
Jermar Jefferson RB TEN (10) Tue 6/21/22 9:45 AM
Jermar Jefferson
RB TEN (10)
Running backs coach Duce Staley indicated that Jefferson could see more playing time if he can improve on special teams, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
EDGE Analysis
Jefferson averaged over 19 carries per game over three seasons as the offensive centerpiece at Oregon State from 2018 to 2020, but he barely saw the field as a rookie. Meanwhile, converted safety Godwin Igwebuike was active every week due to his special-teams contributions and Craig Reynolds eventually worked his way up the depth chart as well. Jefferson ultimately seems to have an uphill battle for a roster spot, but it is nonetheless worth tracking the No. 3 running back job in Detroit considering the coaching staff was willing to give Reynolds 26 carries in a game that D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams both missed last season.
Jermar Jefferson RB TEN (10) Mon 1/10/22 6:16 PM
Jermar Jefferson
RB TEN (10)
Jefferson appeared in seven games in 2021 and rushed 15 times for 74 yards with two touchdowns while catching four of five targets for 23 yards.
EDGE Analysis
It took eight weeks for the seventh-round rookie to see a snap on offense. While it didn't take much longer for a golden opportunity to present itself once D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams started missing games, Jefferson first split time with Godwin Igwebuike before Craig Reynolds ultimately snagged the No. 3 running back spot from both of them. Jefferson is now no higher than No. 4 on the depth chart entering the offseason, and it doesn't seem like he'll have much of an opportunity to climb any higher considering each of Swift, Williams and Reynolds remain under contract in 2022.
Jermar Jefferson RB TEN (10) Sun 1/9/22 11:52 AM
Jermar Jefferson
RB TEN (10)
Jefferson (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Packers.
EDGE Analysis
Jefferson hasn't suited up since Week 15 against the Cardinals. With D'Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Craig Reynolds and Godwin Igwebuike ahead of Jefferson on the running back positional depth chart, the Lions will use the roster space at another position Sunday against the Packers.
Jermar Jefferson RB TEN (10) Sun 1/2/22 3:33 PM
Jermar Jefferson
RB TEN (10)
Jefferson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
EDGE Analysis
Jefferson is a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game, which is unsurprising given that both Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift (shoulder) are available. Craig Reynolds and Godwin Igwebuike make up the rest of the Lions' backfield, though their role is likely to be limited.
Jermar Jefferson RB TEN (10) Sun 12/26/21 12:02 PM
Jermar Jefferson
RB TEN (10)
Jefferson (coach's decision) will not play Sunday against the Falcons.
EDGE Analysis
Jefferson unexpectedly received very little work with D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and Jamaal Williams on the COVID list. With Williams' return and the emergence of Craig Reynolds, Jefferson will be the odd man out Sunday against the Falcons.
Jermar Jefferson RB TEN (10) Mon 12/20/21 7:31 PM
Jermar Jefferson
RB TEN (10)
Jefferson rushed five times for nine yards during Sunday's 30-12 win over Arizona.
EDGE Analysis
Jefferson seemed slated for a large role in the absence of D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and Jamaal Williams, but he ultimately logged just six offensive snaps while Craig Reynolds (42) and Godwin Igwebuike (nine) carried more of the load. With Williams now off the COVID list and Swift set to test his shoulder in practice this week, Jefferson stands to see even less playing time in Week 16 against Atlanta.
Jermar Jefferson RB TEN (10) Fri 12/17/21 2:00 PM
Jermar Jefferson
RB TEN (10)
Running backs coach Duce Staley said that he expects Jefferson to have a larger role in the Lions' game plan Sunday against the Cardinals than the rookie had in last week's loss to Denver, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
EDGE Analysis
In Week 15, Detroit is once again expected to be without both of its top two backs in D'Andre Swift (shoulder), who has already missed two games, and Jamaal Williams, who sat out in Denver after landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to the contest. Williams remains in quarantine and doesn't appear on track to gain clearance ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, leaving Craig Reynolds, Godwin Igwebuike and Jefferson as the healthy running backs on the roster. Though Jefferson was active for the game against Denver, he played just six total snaps since he had battled an ankle injury along with a case of the flu heading into the contest. Now healthier as Sunday's contest approaches, Jefferson should have a more prominent role on the ground, though Reynolds may still serve as the Lions' lead ballcarrier after gaining 65 yards on 10 totes in Week 14. Igwebuike, meanwhile, profiles as the Lions' top pass-catching back.