The Minnesota Vikings signed running back Jermar Jefferson on Wednesday, adding a former seventh-round pick with some NFL experience as training camp continues in Eagan, Minn.
To make room on the roster, the Vikings waived Jordan Mims in the corresponding move. Jefferson is a product of Oregon State and now gets another chance to stick with an NFL team after a winding path through multiple stops.
What Jefferson brings
Jefferson was drafted by Detroit in 2021 and remained with the Lions through 2024 before spending time with Tennessee and Arizona last season. In the spring, he also spent one week with San Francisco. The Vikings are now giving him another opportunity, and the timing suggests they wanted added depth in the running back room during camp.
At Oregon State, Jefferson built a strong college resume. In 2020, he was The ' Co-Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for nearly 3,000 yards and 29 total touchdowns across 27 contests. He also scored at a high rate, finishing with a 5.7 average per carry during that stretch.
Why the move matters
Jefferson has appeared in 11 NFL games, so this is not a pure developmental swing. He has had brief opportunities before, but he has not yet found a long-term home. For the Vikings, that makes him a reasonable camp addition: a player with enough background to compete for a role, but still available when a team needs running back help.
The move also keeps the Vikings flexible. Jefferson arrives at 5-foot-10 and 212 pounds, bringing a compact build that fits a straightforward backup or depth role. The Vikings' current decision is less about a major roster shakeup and more about making sure the room stays stocked as camp moves forward.
Jefferson also has one small familiarity point on his side. He overlapped with Vikings center Blake Brandel at Oregon State, which gives him at least one existing connection inside the building. That alone will not decide anything, but it can help a newcomer settle in quickly.
For now, the headline is simple: Jefferson is back on an NFL roster, and the Vikings are the team giving him the next shot.
