Chargers' Tony Jefferson: Sees increased role in Week 16
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Jefferson logged seven tackles (four solo) during the Chargers' 34-27 win over the Broncos this past Thursday.
Jefferson ended up playing 100 percent of the Chargers' defensive snaps this past Thursday due to Elijah Molden (knee) being inactive and backup free safety Marcus Maye suffering an ankle injury in the first quarter. Jefferson ended up finishing with the second-most tackles on the Chargers behind Daiyan Henley (10). Jefferson would be slated to start at free safety against the Patriots on Saturday if both Molden and Maye are unable to play.
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Chargers' Tony Jefferson: Limited to begin practice week
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Jefferson (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
Jefferson logged a season-high 69 percent of the Chargers' defensive snaps against Atlanta in Week 13, but he was then unable to suit up this past Monday versus Kansas City due to a hamstring issue. The veteran safety closed last week with a pair of DNPs, so his ability to start this week with a limited session is a positive sign for his chance of returning Sunday versus Tampa Bay. If he can't suit up for that game, though, Marcus Maye could again see more work on defense.
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Chargers' Tony Jefferson: Inactive for SNF
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Jefferson (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday Night Football against the Chiefs.
The veteran safety started last Sunday's win over the Falcons, played on 69 percent of the defensive snaps and made nine tackles (six solo). Jefferson got the start because Derwin James was playing slot corner. If the Chargers opt for a similar arrangement against the Chiefs, Kendall Williamson or Marcus Maye could see additional snaps in Jefferson's absence.
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Chargers' Tony Jefferson: Draws start in win over Atlanta
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Jefferson recorded eight total tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 17-13 win over the Falcons.
Jefferson drew the start at strong safety with Derwin James spending the day at slot cornerback. Jefferson returned to the Chargers this past week after being let go in late September, making the most of his opportunity to start Sunday. Considering Los Angeles recorded four interceptions off Kirk Cousins in the win, it's possible they operate with a similar configuration in the secondary moving forward.
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Tony Jefferson: Released by Chargers
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Jefferson was released by the Chargers on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
The safety signed from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Los Angeles' Week 4 clash with Kansas City on Sunday. Even with starter Derwin James out, Jefferson did not play a defensive snap. In total, he has played on seven defensive snaps and three special-teams snaps with the Bolts this season.
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Tony Jefferson: Added to Bolts' practice squad
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The Chargers signed Jefferson to their practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Jefferson had a strong finish to the preseason with two picks against the Cowboys this past Saturday, but he was unable to make the Chargers' 53-man roster in a depth secondary role. He last saw NFL action with the Giants in 2022, when he accumulated 23 tackles (16 solo) and one pass defended across nine regular-season contests.
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Tony Jefferson: Let go by Bolts
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The Chargers released Jefferson on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Jefferson signed with the Chargers in June and finished the preseason strong with two interceptions against the Cowboys this past Saturday, but it wasn't enough for him to survive the roster cuts. He's expected to stick around with the organization and re-sign with the Chargers as a member of the practice squad.
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Giants' Tony Jefferson: Dealing with foot issue
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Jefferson (foot) did not practice Wednesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.
Jefferson played 21 percent of defensive snaps Week 5 after being called up from the practice squad, but it appears he picked up a foot issue in the process. The depth safety will have two more chances to up his activity ahead of Sunday's contest against Baltimore.
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Giants' Tony Jefferson: No practice Wednesday
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Jefferson will not practice Wednesday due to an undisclosed injury, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.
Jefferson was signed from the Giants' practice squad to the active roster ahead of the team's Week 5 win over the Packers, and he recorded four tackles across 13 defensive snaps -- both season highs. However, he presumably picked up an injury during the contest as well and will be in danger of missing Week 6 if he doesn't return to practice Thursday or Friday.
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Giants' Tony Jefferson: Signed off practice squad
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The Giants signed Jefferson from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.
Jefferson was elevated to the active roster in Week 1 and Week 2 and logged a total of 19 snaps between the two games. He may be in for a larger role now that he's been signed to the active roster, as he's been working with the first-team defense during practice, per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. Jefferson has ample NFL experience with 101 career games under his belt, but he hasn't been a major contributor since 2018 with Baltimore.
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Giants' Tony Jefferson: Elevated to active roster
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Jefferson has been promoted to the Giants' active roster for Sunday's Week 1 tilt against the Titans, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Jefferson joined the G-Men's practice squad last week after getting released by Baltimore. He has seemingly made a quick impression, as he will now suit up and provide depth at safety to go along with presumably helping out on special teams.
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Tony Jefferson: Added to Niners' practice squad
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Jefferson (hamstring) signed with San Francisco's practice squad Monday, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.
This move indicates Jefferson has returned to health after previously battling a hamstring injury. He's yet to appear in a game this season.
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49ers' Tony Jefferson: Placed on injured reserve
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Jefferson (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Jefferson didn't participate in Tuesday's practice due to a hamstring injury, and the issue is severe enough to land him on injured reserve. The 29-year-old was a long shot to make the 53-man roster ahead of the regular season, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will now compete for a roster spot after he secured a one-year deal with San Francisco on Thursday.
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Tony Jefferson: Over knee injury
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Jefferson (knee) is visiting the Colts for a potential workout, suggesting that he's over the knee injury he was dealing with at the end of his Ravens tenure, NFL reporter Josina Anderson reports.
Jefferson tore his ACL in October of 2019, but he has recovered and is ready to resume his NFL career. The 28-year-old safety has 98 career games of NFL experience under his belt.
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Ravens' Tony Jefferson: Unlikely to stay in Baltimore
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Jefferson (knee) is expected to be a cap casualty for the Ravens this offseason, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.
Jefferson is entering the fourth and final season of a four-year, $34 million contract, with a non-guaranteed $7 million base salary. He was one of the leaders of the Baltimore defense in 2017 and 2018, but he struggled in 2019 even before he suffered a torn ACL in Week 5. Jefferson's injury turned the starting job over to Chuck Clark, who took full advantage of the opportunity and then signed a three-year contract extension Monday. The only realistic way for Jefferson to stay in Baltimore would involve a pay cut and a willingness to handle a part-time role -- tough pills to swallow for a 28-year-old who had 74 or more tackles in five consecutive seasons from 2014-18.
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Ravens' Tony Jefferson: Notches tackle
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Jefferson (ankle) recorded one tackle during Thursday's 26-13 preseason win over the Packers.
Jefferson appears to have fully recovered after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this offseason. The 27-year-old safety projects to start opposite Earl Thomas in Baltimore's formidable secondary.
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Ravens' Tony Jefferson: Spotted at practice
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Jefferson (ankle) was a limited participant for Tuesday's practice during minicamp, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
This was the first time Jefferson had practiced during team activities in any fashion since undergoing ankle surgery in January. This is a positive sign for the safety's availability heading into training camp, but neither the team nor Jefferson has committed to a definitive timeline for a full return. A healthy Jefferson is expected to form one of the best safety tandems on paper in the league with Earl Thomas for 2019.
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Ravens' Tony Jefferson: Building rapport with Earl Thomas
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Jefferson (ankle) has spent extensive time working out with free-agent pickup and secondary mate Earl Thomas this offseason, Sean Grogan of the Cecil Whig reports. "I got a chance to work out with him before we had the voluntary team workouts in one-on-one sessions," Jefferson said of Thomas. "I can tell you he's a real serious guy, but he also has a lighter side to him, too."
Jefferson looks like he's ready to roll for the start of the Ravens' offseason program after undergoing minor ankle surgery in January. It's also encouraging to hear he's going the extra mile to build rapport with Thomas, who inked a four-year, $55 million pact with Baltimore in March. Considering the Ravens are also stacked at cornerback with Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith, Brandon Carr and Tavon Young under contract for the upcoming season, Baltimore clearly has the coverage talent to allow Jefferson to consistently play in the box this upcoming season. Jefferson could also play a part in replacing former starting inside linebacker C.J. Mosley.
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Ravens' Tony Jefferson: Gets surgery on ankle
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Jefferson recently had ankle surgery and is expected to require 4-to-6 weeks for recovery, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
Jefferson missed Weeks 14 and 15 with an ankle injury, returning for the final two weeks of the regular season as well as a playoff loss to the Chargers. He has trouble sticking with wide receivers in coverage, but his excellent work defending the run and the flats should be enough for the Ravens to justify the third season of his four-year, $34 million contract. Coming off five consecutive seasons with at least 4.9 tackles per game, Jefferson will celebrate his 27th birthday at the end of January. He was one of the youngest players in the 2013 rookie class and has missed just three games through six NFL campaigns.
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Ravens' Tony Jefferson: Suiting up Week 15
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Jefferson (ankle) is active for Sunday's Week 15 tilt against the Buccaneers.
The standout safety has missed the last two games with his ankle issue, but he'll suit up Sunday against the Buccaneers' high-powered passing attack. Despite sitting in the last pair of contests, Jefferson has logged 61 tackles (41 solo), one interception, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery this season across 11 games.
