Two former Oregon State Beavers stars re-sign with the Detroit Lions

Jermar Jefferson’s solid performances during training camp and preseason earned him a spot on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad.

A day after being cut as the Lions’ reduced their roster to 53 players, the Lions signed the former Oregon State Beavers’ star running back to their practice squad, the team announced Wednesday. The Lions also signed former Beavers’ defensive tackle Kyle Peko to their practice squad.

Jefferson, who scored two touchdowns during the Lions’ 24-17 preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, ran 14 times for 38 yards during the preseason. The Lions’ seventh-round pick (No. 257) in the 2021 NFL draft has also shown vision and explosiveness on the field, but what may have helped him this year was improvement in pass protection.

Jefferson, who hasn’t played in a regular season game since his rookie season, gets another opportunity to receive a promotion to the active roster during the regular season.

Peko, 31, signed a free agent deal with the Lions in May, but didn’t appear in any preseason games. He started in 10 games with the Tennessee Titans in 2023 and has appeared in 42 games (12 starts) since he signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2016.