Rookie running back Jermar Jefferson suffered a sprained ankle in practice Monday, but Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said the injury does not to be severe.
“He’ll be out of practice today, but we do not think it’s serious,” Campbell said before practice Tuesday. “It doesn’t look like a high ankle, it’s low, so I think he’ll be good.”
Jefferson has had a strong first two weeks of training camp to solidify his spot as the Lions’ No. 3 running back behind D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.
Swift has been limited by a groin injury much of camp, which has given Jefferson additional reps with the first-team offense.
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Campbell said he envisions using Swift and Williams in a tandem this fall, with Swift the likely starter and Williams playing in a third-down role. Jefferson, a seventh-round pick who ran for 2,923 yards and 27 touchdowns in three seasons at Oregon State. could join that rotation.
With Jefferson out Tuesday, Swift still limited and Michael Warren absent from the start of practice, the Lions are down to four healthy backs: Williams, fullback Jason Cabinda, Dedrick Mills and Godwin Igwebuike.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.