What Justin Jackson's Retirement Means for Lions' Running Backs Room

Could Jermar Jefferson, Craig Reynolds make Lions' final roster?

Early in training camp, Justin Jackson seemed to be running away with the Detroit Lions’ third running back spot.

Though the third-string running back role may seem trivial, Jackson played a big part in the Lions’ success in that exact role last season. He contributed on special teams as a returner, and notched 42 carries for 170 yards and one touchdown in 2022.

When he re-signed a day prior to training camp this summer, he seemed to be the favorite to take back his role in 2023. However, that changed with the news Thursday that he had been placed on the reserve/retired list, marking his retirement from the NFL.

This news leaves the Lions in need of a third running back and kick returner, which could shake up the roster math. As Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell whittle their roster down to a final 53 players, there will be plenty of decisions to make regarding these two important roles.

Holmes has signed two running backs in as many days, adding Devine Ozigbo and Benny Snell to the mix. Snell is the more experienced of the two, with 275 carries, 982 yards and seven touchdowns in his career.

Incumbents on the roster include Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson and undrafted rookie Mohamed Ibrahim. Reynolds has been a solid, yet unspectacular contributor over the last two seasons. 

Jefferson flashed potential when he got his chance in 2021, but spent all of last season on the practice squad.

Reynolds originally won the spot last season, but injuries sidelined him and allowed Jackson to go from the practice squad to the active roster.

In evaluating the available options, the Lions will likely look for a player who can handle return duties, in addition to spelling David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Snell has experience, with the former Steelers back having four returns for 38 yards in his career.

A fourth-round pick in 2019, Snell has played in 63 games, with five starts in his career. Last season, Pro Football Focus gave him an 81.1 rushing grade, which ranked first on the Steelers. He carried the ball 20 times in 2022 for 90 yards, while serving as the backup to Najee Harris.

Snell was also the highest-graded offensive player for Pittsburgh last season, with an overall grade of 84.0.

Ozigbo is another intriguing addition, as he has been predominantly a special teamer. Last season as a member of the Denver Broncos, he earned a 53.5 overall offensive grade and a 52.3 rushing grade.

At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, he is the tallest and heaviest of the running backs on the roster. This could give him an advantage over the others in short-yardage situations. 

For comparison, Reynolds was graded at a 71.1, in terms of rushing, and earned a 68.9 overall offensive grade. Jefferson, meanwhile, posted a 67.6 rushing grade in 2021.

The Lions have several options to claim their third running back spot. Though Snell is a late addition, he may wind up having the same impact that Jackson had a season ago.

However, Reynolds and company aren’t going to go down softly. The coming weeks should feature a strong battle between the aforementioned candidates for one of the final roster spots.