Former Lions 7th-round pick Jermar Jefferson is now with the Tennessee Titans.
For the second straight day, a former Detroit Lions draft pick has found a new home. After defensive end James Houston signed with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, it was Jermar Jefferson’s turn this afternoon. The Lions 2021 seventh-round running back has signed with the Tennessee Titans , the team announced on Wednesday.
Jefferson managed to stay with the Lions for the last four seasons, bouncing on and off the roster and spending most of his time on the practice squad. That said, he did appear in seven games his rookie season, rushing 15 times for 74 yards and two touchdowns. In his best game, he rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers —including this impressive run:
#Lions rookie Jermar Jefferson gets his second career touchdown in just his second game with offense snaps. He’s a excellent 1-cut slasher who ran to day light and the score. pic.twitter.com/2R6hVUTdUZ
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) November 14, 2021
However, as the Lions continued to invest in the running back position over the past four years, Jefferson’s route to playing time became tough. The Lions signed Jamaal Williams, then signed David Montgomery. They drafted both Jahmyr Gibbs and Sione Vaki, while finding a diamond in the rough in Craig Reynolds. As a result, Jefferson made just two more game appearances after his rookie season—both coming late last season after Montgomery’s injury.
Jefferson will join a Titans team that is looking for an identity in the run game. Starter Tony Pollard had a somewhat successful season (1,079 yards, 5 TDs), but 2023 third-round pick Tyjae Spears has been a disappointment through two seasons. He has just 765 rushing yards and six touchdowns through two seasons and has added 609 yards in the receiving game.
Jefferson should have an easier route to the 53-man roster in Tennessee than he did in Detroit, but with him being a late addition, it will not be easy for him, either.