Lions running back Jermar Jefferson can't be discounted in roster battle

The Detroit Lions have worked hard to turn over their roster, and one of the spots where they now boast plenty of depth is at running back.

This offseason, the Lions added David Montgomery in free agency and drafted the impressive Jahmyr Gibbs. Craig Reynolds and Justin Jackson are in the mix behind the new backfield duo.

So it could be easy to forget about Jermar Jefferson, a 2021 sixth-round pick. But he's moving to change that.

During Day 10 of training camp on Thursday, Jefferson was one of the more impressive backs on the field when got his work. Jefferson possesses an attacking style, and an ability to hit the hole strongly with physicality. To that end, he could be the perfect complement to Detroit's other runners.

During practice, Jefferson also snagged a pass down the sideline and managed to tiptoe his way into the end zone for a long score.

Jermar Jefferson could make push for Lions RB3 spot

As a rookie in 2021, Jefferson didn't get a lot of opportunities (15 carries for 74 yards, four catches for 23 yards). But Injuries helped push Jefferson into a major role against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10, and he managed to be a key cog in the team's 229-yard outburst on the ground (41 yards and a touchdown on three carries).

Jefferson did not make the Lions' roster last year, as he spent the season on the practice squad.

But heading toward training camp, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic (subscription required) pointed to Jefferson as someone to watch in the battle to be the Lions' RB3. Pouncy also passed along some sentiment from Dan Campbell that there was effort to get Jefferson up on the active roster last year, but it just didn't work out.

A lot of people like Jackson or Reynolds as the top candidate to be the Lions' No. 3 running back coming out of camp. But Jefferson is not going to just fade away in that battle.