Aug 10, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson (37) scores a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Chargers sign veteran S Tony Jefferson to active roster

The Los Angeles Chargers reinforced their last line of defense ahead of Sunday’s game against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs, signing veteran safety Tony Jefferson to the 53-man roster on Thursday.

Jefferson, who had been on the Chargers’ practice squad, will replace the suspended Derwin James Jr. The NFL issued James a one-game ban for his hit on Pittsburgh tight end Pat Freiermuth in the third quarter of last Sunday’s 20-10 loss at the Steelers.

Jefferson, 32, signed with Los Angeles in June and was added to the practice squad after he was cut following the preseason.

The 10th-year veteran has recorded 492 tackles, 9.5 sacks, four interceptions, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown in 114 games (67 starts) as a safety and a defensive back since going undrafted out of Oklahoma in 2013.

Jefferson has spent most of his career with the Arizona Cardinals (2013-16) and the Baltimore Ravens (2017-19, 2021). He has also played for the San Francisco 49ers (2021) and the New York Giants (2022). He became a free agent in 2023 and retired before signing with the Chargers.

The Chargers (2-1) have lost five straight games to the Chiefs (3-0) since a 30-24 win at Kansas City on Sept. 26, 2021.

Los Angeles also signed offensive lineman Braeden Daniels to the practice squad on Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 11, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Jack Stoll (89) fights off a tackle by New York Giants safety Tony Jefferson (36) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Retired S Tony Jefferson wants to play in ’24

Safety Tony Jefferson wants to come out of retirement and play in 2024, according to Bleacher Report.

Jefferson, 32, last played for the New York Giants in 2022 and announced his retirement in May 2023.

He spent last season as a scouting intern with the Baltimore Ravens, a team with which he spent four seasons.

“Jefferson has stayed in shape, has been training, and wants to play again,” per Tuesday’s report. “He intends to start talking to teams in the near future.”

Undrafted out of Oklahoma in 2013, Jefferson appeared in 113 games (67 starts) with the Arizona Cardinals (2013-16), Ravens (2017-19, 2021), San Francisco 49ers (2021) and Giants (2022). He recorded 492 tackles, 9.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and four interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Dec 11, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Jack Stoll (89) fights off a tackle by New York Giants safety Tony Jefferson (36) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Tony Jefferson to retire after 9 seasons

Defensive back Tony Jefferson is retiring after nine seasons in the NFL and plans to become a scout with the Baltimore Ravens, ESPN reported Thursday.

Jefferson, 31, played in nine games (one start) last season with the New York Giants, his fourth and final team.

He finishes with 9.5 sacks, four interceptions, 24 passes defensed and 492 tackles in 113 games (67 starts) with the Arizona Cardinals (2013-16), Baltimore Ravens (2017-21), San Francisco 49ers (2021) and Giants.

Jefferson played in just 20 games the past three seasons.

The Cardinals signed Jefferson as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma in 2013.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) pulls in a pass over Baltimore Ravens safety Tony Jefferson (31) for a touchdown reception before the play is overturned after official review in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 16 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. The Bengals improved to 9-6 on the season with a 41-21 win over the Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens At Cincinnati Bengals Week 16

Ravens re-sign S Tony Jefferson

The Baltimore Ravens re-signed veteran safety Tony Jefferson on Thursday, extending his second stint with the team.

Jefferson, 30, spent three seasons starting in Baltimore’s secondary before an ACL tear cut short his 2019 campaign. After missing all of 2020, he caught on for two games with the San Francisco 49ers last year.

After San Francisco released Jefferson, he signed with the Ravens’ practice squad in December. The Ravens soon elevated Jefferson to the 53-man roster, and he appeared in four games, recording 17 tackles, one sack and one pass breakup.

In 104 career games (66 starts) with the Arizona Cardinals (2013-16), Ravens and 49ers, Jefferson has amassed 469 tackles, 9.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and four interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA;  Baltimore Ravens strong safety Tony Jefferson (23) is introduced before a football game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Layton-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Niners signing S Tony Jefferson

The San Francisco 49ers are set to sign former Baltimore Ravens safety Tony Jefferson, ESPN reported Monday.

Jefferson, 29, has been out of football since tearing the ACL in his left knee in October 2019.

Jefferson was in his third season with the Ravens after signing a four-year, $34 million contract as a free agent in March of 2017. The Ravens released him the following February and he sat out the 2020 season.

In seven career seasons with Baltimore and the Arizona Cardinals, Jefferson has 451 tackles, four interceptions, 8.5 sacks and 22 pass breakups.

–Field Level Media