Jermar Jefferson

ALLEN PARK -- Rookie seasons are just so hard in the NFL. The draft circuit is longer and more grueling than ever. Then there are rookie minicamps, which bleed right into offseason programs, all of which leads into a season that is more than a month longer than anything almost anyone has seen in college.

Head coach Dan Campbell specified Jefferson as a player having a productive training camp, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports. 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.

For much of the offseason, we’ve heard Detroit Lions coaches and front office members talk about the importance of the 2021 draft class. If this team is going to make some noise this year and in the future, those seven picks will have to take a big jump this year—the mystical Year 2 jump.

The Detroit Lions leaned on five different running backs in 2021—D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Jermar Jefferson, Godwin Igwebuike, and Craig Reynolds—and all of them return to the roster in 2022. With four spots likely available, and the addition of undrafted free agent Greg Bell, the running backs room figures to be a competitive position group.

Lions second-year running back Jermar Jefferson saw minimal action as a rookie, but he knows the path to seeing the field more this year. With their final pick of the 2021 draft, the Detroit Lions took Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson. He ultimately played in seven games as a rookie, with minimal (15 carries) but promising (two touchdowns) work as a runner.

Jefferson could see more playing time this season if he can improve on special teams, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. 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 for the Lions 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 during a game that D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams both missed last season.

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. 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 Swift, Williams and Reynolds all remain under contract for 2022.

Jefferson (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Packers. 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.

SEATTLE -- Bah Gawd, that’s Tim Boyle’s music. The Detroit Lions announced on Sunday afternoon that quarterback Jared Goff has been officially ruled out against the Seattle Seahawks. After not playing last week because of a COVID infection, Goff didn’t practice this week because of a knee injury and was officially listed as doubtful in Seattle.

Jefferson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks. 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.

ATLANTA -- The Detroit Lions are going to spend another Sunday afternoon Netflix and chilling. The club announced on Sunday morning that running back Craig Reynolds will dress for a third straight game on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. He’ll back up Jamaal Williams, who is making his return from a COVID infection that sidelined him the last two weeks.

Jefferson (coach's decision) will not play Sunday against the Falcons. 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.

Jefferson rushed five times for nine yards during Sunday's 30-12 win over Arizona. 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.

The Detroit Lions are hoping "Netflix" airs a re-run this Sunday. With D'Andre Swift expected to miss his third straight game with a shoulder injury and Jamaal Williams still on the reserve/COVID-19 list, practice squad running back Craig Reynolds appears to be in line for another lead role in the Lions backfield.

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. In Week 15, Detroit is once again expected...

Jefferson logged five offensive snaps but did not record a touch during Sunday's 38-10 loss to Denver. Many thought Jefferson would take on a key role in the absence of D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and Jamaal Williams (COVID-19). However, coach Dan Campbell said after the game that the running back was not a big part of the practice rotation in the week before due to an ankle injury in combination with having the flu, which allowed Godwin Igwebuike and Craig Reynolds to carry the load. In any case, if either of Swift or Williams return Week 15 against Arizona, none on these depth players will be worth further fantasy consideration anyway.

Jefferson (illness) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game in Denver, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports. Jefferson was affected by the flu outbreak going around the Lions' locker room, with the Lions holding him out of drills Thursday. But he was able to handle every practice rep to cap the week and set himself up to be available Sunday. The same can't be said for D'Andre Swift, who is missing a second consecutive game due to an AC joint sprain, and Jamaal Williams, whom the Lions placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. With Swift and Williams sidelined this weekend, Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike will handle running back duties for Detroit.

The Detroit Lions will have an unfamiliar name atop the running back depth chart in Week 14 against the Denver Broncos. Starter D’Andre Swift is still dealing with a shoulder injury and top backup, Jamaal Williams, is on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. That leaves rookie seventh-round pick, Jermar Jefferson, as the team’s potential lead back, even if it’s just for one week.

Jefferson didn't practice Thursday due to an illness. Jefferson wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, so the ailment is a new development. The 21-year-old may need to return to practice in some capacity Friday to have a chance of suiting up this weekend at Denver.

Jefferson rushed five times for 18 yards while failing to catch his lone target during Sunday's 29-27 win over the Vikings. Jefferson technically saw an expanded role with D'Andre Swift (shoulder) sidelined, but he still took a clear backseat to Jamaal Williams, who commanded 18 touches. While it's possible that Swift misses another game in Week 14 against the Broncos, do not bet on Detroit splitting the backfield reps between Jefferson and Williams like they do between a Williams and a healthy Swift.