Lions Sign Former Tennessee Running Back
The Detroit Lions have signed a running back heading into 2025 training camp.
One day after waiving undrafted free agent Anthony Tyus III with an illness designation, multiple reports indicate the Lions have inked a deal with Jabari Small.
According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson on Thursday, the Lions were set to host Small for a workout on Friday.
Last season, Small was with the Tennessee Titans' practice squad after going not being selected in the 2024 NFL draft. He played collegiately at Tennessee, where he was teammates with current Lions backup quarterback Hendon Hooker for two seasons.
In his four seasons with the Volunteers, Small recorded 2,122 yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground. He also contributed 32 receptions for 247 yards and two touchdowns in his collegiate career.
Coming out of college, Small was viewed as a up-and-down performer who struggled with bouts of inconsistency. As a result, teams didn't feel confident enough in his ability to take a chance on him in the draft.
However, after a year of development with the Titans, Small will have the chance to compete for a role in the backfield and on special teams with Detroit.
"A frisky runner with a compact frame, Small can run with good burst and efficiency of movement when he’s locked in. Unfortunately, many of his carries in 2023 featured few clear points of entry, which caused him to run with less decisiveness," wrote analyst Lance Zierlein prior to the 2024 draft. "A lack of patience and tempo limits his opportunity to read the front and find developing run lanes instead of crashing forward into the abyss. Small can find his own yardage on bounce-outs and with improvisational path changes, but that might not be sustainable as a pro. He runs hard and flashed route-running potential, but his lack of pass-catching production and special teams experience could hurt his cause."
Small joins a running back room headlined by standouts Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Craig Reynolds is the incumbent third option, with Sione Vaki hoping to carve out a more impactful role. The Lions also have undrafted free agent Kye Robichaux in the mix.
The signing of Small is the second reported Lions move of the day, with the first being the addition of rookie cornerback Tyson Russell.
Related articles
Aaron Glenn Sends Blunt Message to Jets $6 Million Pass Catcher
93 days until kickoff: Mark Ingram's first touchdown closes out game winning drive
Controversial San Francisco 49ers Star Impresses at Minicamp
It’s not even training camp but this Lions rookie is already standing outThe Latest
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode 2 Ending Explained: An Original Series Space God Returns
Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck) and Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) narrowly avoid being tricked into marriage in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3, episode 2. "Wedding Bell Blues" is a joyous comedic masterpiece written by Kirstin Beyer and David Reed, and ...
Shedeur Sanders isn’t allowing any Joe Flacco slander ahead of their camp battle
Before reporting to training camp on Friday, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made a couple of stops out in the community. On Wednesday, he hosted the Garden Valley Fun Fest for community members who were recently impacted by a ...
Serena Williams Looks Gorgeous In Blue Bikini, But It’s Her Matching Cover-Up That Really Makes the Look
By all accounts it seems Serena Williams is having a pretty fantastic summer. In June she donned her finest silver cowboy boots for Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour, stunned in a leopard-print maxi giving new life to the animal print trend ...
Kool-Aid McKinstry becoming a true #1 CB can transform the Saints defense
Ga'Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry will be heading into his second season in the NFL. If he can avoid the dreaded Sophomore slump and become a true #1 corner in the league, that would be the New Orleans Saints best-case scenario at ...
Ja’Marr Chase Makes Bold Claim About Justin Jefferson Ahead of Vikings’ Season
Ja’Marr Chase didn’t hold back when asked about the NFL’s first potential 2,000-yard receiver. He thinks it’s going to happen sooner rather than later, with him and Minnesota Vikings’ star Justin Jefferson holding the best opportunity to seize the historic ...
