The Los Angeles Chargers signed veteran safety Tony Jefferson to the 53-man roster Thursday.
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Jefferson was elevated from the practice squad. The Chargers will likely have a safety rotation of Alohi Gilman, Elijah Molden, AJ Finley, and Jefferson on Sunday.
Jefferson’s promotion likely came because of the one-game suspension Derwin James will serve in Week 4.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 21: Safety Tony Jefferson #23 of the Baltimore Ravens during the NFL preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 21, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Ravens defeated the Cardinals 24-17. Tony Jefferson elevated from Chargers practice squad.
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The loss of James is a major setback as the Chargers face the best of the AFC West in the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chargers are battling injuries, which leaves the availability of key starters such as quarterback Justin Herbert a game-time decision.
Jefferson is one player that the Chargers will ask to step up in the absence of a starter. He provides a much-needed veteran presence to the secondary.
The safety had a standout preseason performance against the Dallas Cowboys. It was regarded as one of the best defensive performances of the preseason in general.
It was evident that Jefferson still had the ballhawk in him. His final stat line include 14 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a sack, two passes defended, and a quarterback hit.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh heaped high praise for the safety postgame.
“That was a sensational game,” Harbaugh said postgame via the team transcript. “A sack, forced fumble, two interceptions, [14] tackles. I’ve always had great respect for him, admiration for him and he played for my brother [in Baltimore].”
“Family, that’s family,” Harbaugh added. “Great to see him do so well tonight.”
Jefferson is the longest-tenured NFL player in the Chargers safety room. He joined the Chargers with a decade of experience. Jefferson has played for four different teams throughout his career.
Jefferson was an undrafted free agent in 2013, but eventually signed with the Arizona Cardinals. The safety spent the next four years with the Cardinals until he landed with the Baltimore Ravens.
Jefferson spent another four seasons in Baltimore where he played under head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. It makes him just one of the many Baltimore connections to the Chargers.
Jefferson also is familiar with general manager Joe Hortiz since their time with the Ravens organization overlapped. At the time, Hortiz was the Director of College Scouting where the safety worked as a scouting intern for the Ravens in 2023.
His return to Los Angeles was a return to his hometown since Jefferson is a Southern California native.
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