“Jefferson (5-10, 215) was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round (257th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft,” the team noted. “Throughout his five-year NFL career with the Lions (2021-25), Tennessee Titans (2025) and Arizona Cardinals (2025-26) he has appeared in 11 games and totaled 21 carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns and added five receptions for 33 yards. In 2025, Jefferson appeared in two games with the Cardinals.”

Jefferson was never able to carve out a significant role with the Lions, but was effective in his limited chances in his rookie year. He rushed for 74 yards on 15 carries, scoring two touchdowns. Jefferson added another four receptions for 23 yards.

Jefferson did not appear in any games in the 2022 or 2023 seasons, but appeared in two games in 2024.

As the 49ers noted in signing Jefferson, he showed plenty of promise during a productive college career.

“A 26-year-old native of Harbor City, CA, Jefferson attended Oregon State University for three seasons (2018-20) where he appeared in 27 games (21 starts) and registered 514 carries for 2,923 yards (7.0 average) and 27 touchdowns on the ground to go along with 43 receptions for 299 yards (7.0 average) and two touchdowns through the air,” the team noted. “He earned Co-Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Pac-12 honors as a junior in 2020 and Freshman All-American Honors in 2018.”

Lions Expected to Make Another Running Back Move

The Lions are expected to make another bit move at running back soon, with star Jahmyr Gibbs nearing an extension. ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported in an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he expects a new contract to come sometime this summer.

“Yeah, I think this is a whole work-in progress, because there are a lot of players that have to get paid there. Jahmyr Gibbs, I would think would be next,” Schefter said. “A deal at some point this summer for Gibbs, (Atlanta Falcons RB) Bijan Robinson. Those are gonna be big, blockbuster deals.”

Schefter added that the Lions have already locked down some other key players, with Gibbs likely comign soon.

“The Lions want to sign Sam LaPorta, their tight end, who is tremendous in that offense, great player,” he said. “They get Jack Campbell out of the way, and I think, these are the challenges that are there for this franchise that has been so close in recent years, and now, it’s gonna be harder, because they’ve got to pay these guys who are on rookie contracts, the money that they deserve, and that creates less flexibility elsewhere on the roster.”