What Happened to Jermar Jefferson?
Jermar Jefferson is an American professional football running back who gained prominence during his college career at Oregon State. Drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2021, he has since navigated a challenging NFL path, spending time with multiple teams' active rosters and practice squads, and as of August 2026, is currently with the Minnesota Vikings.
Quick Answer
Jermar Jefferson is currently a running back for the Minnesota Vikings, having signed with the team on August 12, 2026. After a standout college career at Oregon State, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2021. He spent time with the Lions through 2024, then had stints with the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals in 2025, and briefly with the San Francisco 49ers in early 2026 before joining the Vikings.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline10 events
Named Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year
Jermar Jefferson had a breakout true freshman season at Oregon State, rushing for 1,380 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning him the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year award.
Earns First-team All-Pac-12 Honors
In his junior season, Jefferson continued his strong performance, finishing with 858 rushing yards and six touchdowns in a COVID-shortened season, leading to First-team All-Pac-12 recognition and being named Co-Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.
Drafted by Detroit Lions
Jermar Jefferson was selected by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round, 257th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 14, 2021.
NFL Debut with Lions
As a rookie, Jefferson appeared in seven games for the Detroit Lions, recording 15 rushing attempts for 74 yards and two touchdowns, along with four receptions for 23 yards.
Waived/Injured by Lions
Jefferson was waived/injured by the Detroit Lions and subsequently placed on injured reserve, indicating a period of injury that impacted his roster status. He was later released with an injury settlement on September 6, 2023.
Limited Appearances with Lions
After re-signing a reserve/future contract in January 2024, Jefferson appeared in two regular-season games for the Lions, contributing six carries for 22 yards and one reception for 10 yards.
Signs with Tennessee Titans
Jefferson signed with the Tennessee Titans, aiming for a roster spot, but was waived during final cuts on August 26, though he was re-signed to their practice squad the next day.
Joins Arizona Cardinals Practice Squad
Jefferson signed with the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad and later appeared in two regular-season games for the Cardinals, primarily on special teams.
Brief Stint with San Francisco 49ers
Jefferson signed with the San Francisco 49ers but was waived just a few days later on June 2, 2026, highlighting the competitive nature of NFL roster spots.
Signs with Minnesota Vikings
Jermar Jefferson signed with the Minnesota Vikings, marking his latest opportunity in the NFL as he joins their running back depth chart for the 2026 season.
Follow this story
Get an email when this timeline gets a major update.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Jermar Jefferson's football journey began with a highly successful collegiate career at Oregon State University. From 2018 to 2020, he established himself as one of the program's top running backs, earning accolades such as Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2018 and First-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2020. He finished his time with the Beavers ranking fifth all-time in rushing yards (2,923) and rushing touchdowns (27), showcasing his potential as a dynamic offensive weapon.
Jefferson declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round (257th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year rookie contract and saw some action in his rookie year, appearing in seven games and recording 15 carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns. However, his tenure with the Lions became a cycle of being waived, signed to the practice squad, and dealing with injuries, limiting his on-field opportunities. He appeared in two games for Detroit in 2024, contributing six carries for 22 yards.
The 2025 season saw Jefferson move between teams. He signed with the Tennessee Titans in July 2025 but was waived during final roster cuts, though he was re-signed to their practice squad shortly after. By October 2025, he had moved to the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad, where he appeared in two regular-season games, primarily on special teams, without recording any offensive statistics. This period highlighted the challenging nature of maintaining a roster spot in the NFL, especially for a running back.
His journey continued into 2026 with a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers, signing in late May but being waived just days later in early June. Undeterred, Jefferson continued to seek opportunities, and on August 12, 2026, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings. This move places him on the Vikings' depth chart, where he will compete for a role, potentially on the practice squad, as the team prepares for the upcoming season. His resilience in moving between teams underscores his determination to establish a lasting NFL career.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Jermar Jefferson made different choices?