Jermar Jefferson has yet to make his NFL regular season debut. The Detroit Lions drafted Jefferson in the seventh round out of Oregon State to bolster the backfield, but the running back has been on the inactive list in each of the first four weeks.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell intimates that could change soon. Campbell was asked on Friday about the playing time for young players and he immediately cited Jefferson as someone he was looking to get into the lineup.
“Look, we’d love to find a way to get (Jermar) Jefferson into the game. We think he’s a kid that, man, you’d love to get him some real game-time experience,” Campbell enthused. “The hard thing right now is getting into the game because special teams is where he’s got to be able to help us first and he’s not quite there.”
The Lions have used another young RB, Godwin Igwebuike, over Jefferson as the No. 3 back behind D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. Igwebuike has yet to touch the ball on offense but has been a fixture on special teams, including as the primary kick returner.
Jefferson played impressively during the preseason, rushing for 72 yards on 18 carries in the three exhibition contests. He was a non-factor in the passing game and has had his struggles throughout training camp and practices in special teams drills, however.