Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson scored a 7-yard touchdown in the second half of the NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024, in Detroit (AP Photo/Jose Juarez).
Jefferson’s strong performances during training camp and the preseason secured him a place on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. After being released when the Lions trimmed their roster to 53 players, the team quickly added the former Oregon State star to the practice squad, as announced on Wednesday. The Lions also signed ex-Oregon State defensive tackle Kyle Peko to the practice squad.
Jefferson, who scored two touchdowns in the Lions’ 24-17 preseason victory over the Steelers, carried the ball 14 times for 38 yards during the preseason. A seventh-round draft pick (No. 257) in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jefferson has demonstrated both vision and explosiveness, with notable improvement in pass protection this year.
Although Jefferson hasn’t played in a regular-season game since his rookie year, he has a chance to be promoted to the active roster. Meanwhile, Peko, who joined the Lions as a free agent in May, did not play in the preseason. The 31-year-old defensive tackle started 10 games for the Tennessee Titans in 2023 and has played in 42 games (with 12 starts) since entering the league with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2016.
