Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson was given just three attempts during their victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday evening. However, all three attempts were within the San Francisco ten-yard line. With David Montgomery (knee) sidelined, Jahmyr Gibbs has been deployed as the workhorse option in this backfield, but with the Lions having little to play for regarding their position in the standings, they opted to give Gibbs occasional rest on Monday evening. While Gibbs still finished the game with 18 attempts and four targets, he would have likely been given this goal line work in a must-win situation. Instead, Jefferson was given some high-value touches but could not punch in any of them as he finished with just nine total yards. In addition, Jefferson saw four fewer carries than the presumed No.2 option, Craig Reynolds. Fantasy managers should expect Gibbs to take on a three-down role during Week 18 and throughout the entire postseason, leaving just a handful of attempts for Jefferson and Reynolds.
The Lions have waived running back Jermar Jefferson. The 2021 seventh-round pick appeared in seven games for Detroit last season, finishing with 74 yards and two touchdowns off 15 carries. Jefferson wasn't expected to contribute much on the fantasy end this year with D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams holding things down in the backfield, so the move isn't anticipated to impact anyone outside of dynasty formats. At the same time, there's a chance he may pop up elsewhere throughout the 2022-23 campaign, although his fantasy stock won't rise unless he ascends a depth chart for a new team.
Jermar Jefferson Leads Backfield With Nine Carries
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson rushed nine times for 19 yards during Friday's preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons. He also turned two targets into one reception for an additional three receiving yards. Jefferson totaled 97 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns while filling a depth role for Detroit last season. Heading into 2022, he'll compete with Godwin Igwebuike and Craig Reynolds for the third-string job behind incumbent starter D'Andre Swift and veteran backup Jamaal Williams. Barring injury to those two, Jefferson won't have fantasy relevance this coming season.
Jermar Jefferson Heading For Significant Role In Week 14
Detroit Lions rookie running back Jermar Jefferson is in line to receive increased usage on Sunday. Both D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and Jamaal Williams (COVID-19) have been ruled out for Week 14, leaving rushing duties to Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike. It remains to be seen what the workload will look like for the duo, but it goes without saying that both should be more involved than they have been all season. Igwebuike has totaled 152 scrimmage yards through 12 games, finding the end zone once. On the other hand, Jefferson has 88 yards and two touchdowns through just five games. Both backs fall into the mid-range RB3 territory against Denver.
Detroit Lions rookie running back Jermar Jefferson (illness) missed practice on Thursday and was added to the Week 14 injury report. There is a flu bug going around the Lions locker room, so that's likely what Jefferson is dealing with. He should have a good chance to play this weekend against the Denver Broncos, and with D'Andre Swift (shoulder) looking likely to miss his second straight game, Jefferson would again have an elevated role in the backfield behind Jamaal Williams. The 21-year-old seventh-rounder only saw five carries for 18 yards in last week's win over the Minnesota Vikings, though, and he won't have any standalone fantasy appeal behind Williams in a tough matchup on the road against the Broncos defense.
Detroit Lions rookie running back Jermar Jefferson (ankle, knee), who was questionable for Thursday's game, is active on Thanksgiving against the Chicago Bears. Jefferson was held out of last week's loss to the Cleveland Browns, but he'll return this week to provide depth behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. The 21-year-old seventh-rounder has scored in each of his last two games, but he's seen action in only two games this year (when Williams was hurt) and has played 14 total offensive snaps in those two games. Don't expect him to see the field much, if at all, on Turkey Day against the Bears. Jefferson is strictly a dynasty/keeper stash right now.
Detroit Lions rookie running back Jermar Jefferson (ankle, knee) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for the Thanksgiving game on Thursday against the Chicago Bears. Jefferson missed the Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns, but he seems to be on the right track to return for the team's annual Thanksgiving game. However, if he's active, he'll be third on the running back totem pole behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams, who returned last Sunday after a two-game absence. The 21-year-old rookie does have two touchdowns in only three games in his first NFL season, but he's also only played 14 total offensive snaps in parts of two games, so he's well off the redraft radar.
Detroit Lions rookie running back Jermar Jefferson (ankle, knee) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's estimated practice report. Jefferson sat out of the Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns, but he could be on the right track to return for a Thursday morning game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday. The rookie scored his second career touchdown in Week 10 before getting injured, but with Jamaal Williams returning last Sunday after a two-week absence, Jefferson will be buried on the depth chart if he's able to gain clearance to play this week. The 21-year-old has played only 14 total offensive snaps in three games in 2021, carrying the ball just five times for 47 yards and two touchdowns while catching all four of his targets for 23 yards.
Detroit Lions rookie running back Jermar Jefferson (ankle, knee) missed practice all week and has been ruled out for the Week 11 contest against the Cleveland Browns. Jefferson scored his second career touchdown in last week's tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he'll have to sit out this weekend and could be in danger of missing next Thursday's Thanksgiving game against the Chicago Bears in Week 12. The 21-year-old really hasn't been worthy of stashing outside of the deepest of single-season and dynasty leagues in 2021, as he's played on only 14 offensive snaps in three games this season and has five carries for 47 yards and the two touchdowns. If Jamaal Williams (thigh) misses his third straight game, Godwin Igwebuike would be D'Andre Swift's backup this weekend.
Detroit Lions rookie running back Jermar Jefferson (ankle) missed his second straight day of practice this week on Thursday and seems likely to miss the Week 11 game against the Cleveland Browns after getting injured in the Week 10 tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jefferson scored his second career touchdown last Sunday with Jamaal Williams (thigh) missing his second straight game, but he has only five carries for 47 yards on the season while adding 23 yards on four receptions in three games in 2021. If Williams misses yet another game this weekend, Godwin Igwebuike, who scored the first touchdown of his career in Week 10, would be D'Andre Swift's primary backup in Detroit's backfield.