Lions Mohamed Ibrahim placed on IR, Jermar Jefferson re-signed to practice squad

The Detroit Lions swapped out practice squad running backs after an injury in Week 7.

The Detroit Lions made two roster moves on Tuesday. The team placed running back Mohamed Ibrahim (hip) on the practice squad injured reserve. In a corresponding move to fill the spot, the Lions re-signed running back Jermar Jefferson to the practice squad.

Ibrahim suffered a dislocated hip during a kick return against the Ravens and needed to go to the hospital following the collision. While it was initially reported that he would require surgery, on Monday, coach Dan Campbell provided clarification and an update that came with positive news:

“Mo Ibrahim got back this morning,” Campbell said. “Really, what it was, I just want to clarify, this wasn’t some—he dislocated a hip. They just needed to put him under to get the hip back in, which it did. It’s good and he’s walking around. So, that’s good news. That’s good news.”

Because Ibrahim is not on the active roster, his stint on injured reserve falls under a different categorical name—practice squad/injured reserve—but the same rules apply. He will be forced to miss at least four games, then when healthy, he can return to the practice squad under a 21-day evaluation window. Once that window expires, he needs to be placed back on the practice squad or released.

When Campbell was asked if Ibrahim would be able to play again this season, he responded:

“It’ll be a while, still a lot of pain, but at least he can move that hip, but that’s what it was. It just needed to get it back in.”

Jefferson was a Lions seventh-round pick in 2021. While he made the initial roster as a rookie, he spent most of that season on injured reserve. Jefferson stayed with the Lions in 2022 but was relegated to the practice squad. In 2023, he was in the battle for a backup running back spot on the active roster, but a preseason injury cut his opportunity short, and he was waived with an injury designation.

Now that his injury settlement has expired and he is once again eligible to return to Detroit, the Lions are bringing him back for yet another opportunity.

Fun fact: Jefferson’s return to Detroit creates an interesting fact because now, every player general manager Brad Holmes has drafted is currently on the Lions roster in some capacity.