Why this Detroit Lions RB’s No. 1 priority is playing special teams

Jermar Jefferson’s special teams resume coming out of college consisted of two kick returns for 32 yards.

Oregon State’s starting running back as a true freshman, Jefferson never played on the kick or punt cover teams in college, and though he sat in on special teams meetings, learning to actually play special teams as a rookie with the Detroit Lions last fall felt very much like learning a new language.

“Very foreign,” Jefferson said after the Lions’ final open practice of organized team activities last week. “But after a year under my belt I feel like I got used to it. Talking with the special teams coach, Coach (Dave) Fipp, he’s a good coach. I think I got a lot better coming in this year.”

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Jefferson was the last player off the field after practice last Monday, staying to catch kicks off a JUGS machine with several other back-of-the-roster hopefuls.

The second-year running back said becoming a better special teams player has been his primary focus this offseason as he looks to not just make the 53-man roster but crack the gameday lineup.

As a rookie, Jefferson was active for seven of 17 games in 2021, most of them when D’Andre Swift and/or Jamaal Williams were nursing injuries. He played sparingly as a running back (36 snaps) in part because he could not establish himself on special teams (12 snaps).

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This spring, Jefferson said he built special teams drills into his offseason workout program, hitting bags and focusing on his footwork and technique for not just fielding returns but covering kicks and punts. He devoured film of some of the league’s best special teams players, return men like Devin Hester and top kickoff cover guys. And he returned home for the summer determined to contribute any way possible in 2022.

“I see myself playing all four special teams,” Jefferson said. “Punt, punt return, kickoff and kickoff return. Just trying to go in on special teams, full head of steam with those four positions.”

The focal point of Oregon State’s offense for most of his three college seasons, Jefferson said watching from the sidelines last year was “very frustrating.”

Swift and Williams were the Lions’ top two running backs, as expected, and Godwin Igwebuike typically was active as the No. 3 back because of his special teams ability. Igwebuike was the Lions’ primary kick returner and finished third behind Anthony Pittman and C.J. Moore in total special teams snaps.

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“I was getting mad and I’m like, ‘Man, I’ve never been away from football this long,’” Jefferson said. “I was getting stressed out. But I had long talks with God and my parents, they kind of helped me out. They were always telling me be patient. Be patient, talk with the coaches, get closer with them and things like that. Friends start getting closer, talking to me and everything really started getting better with my mind.”

Jefferson was effective in his few offensive snaps last season. He had 74 yards rushing on 15 carries, caught four of the five passes thrown his way and had a 28-yard touchdown run in a 16-16 tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He said he’s better as a running back now than he was a season ago.

“I feel like I got better at catching the ball out of the backfield and some running back routes,” he said. “I feel like I need to work on that this offseason, still. But as far as catching the ball and turning my eyes around, catching the ball with my eyes, I feel like I got a lot better with that.”

With Swift and Williams returning, though, getting meaningful carries on offense won’t be easy.

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Both Fipp and Lions assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley gave Jefferson a clear directive after the season: Get better on special teams and playing time will come.

“He’s another one that had a good offseason as far as preparation, preparing themselves, and just speaking of (his) frustration, it’s very easy,” Staley said. “You want to play, do more. Period. That just don’t go for him, that goes for everybody. Do more. Show us that you deserve to go out there and play, you deserve to go out there and challenge two and challenge three, or whoever it is. It’s very simple, man. You get in my room, I don’t have a starter. You want to start? Win the position.”

And Jefferson said that is what he is determined to do.

“I’m just looking forward to getting more special teams reps,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll work my way on the field as a running back, but my one priority is special teams this year.”

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.