Report: Detroit Lions signing RB Jabari Small

Former Tennessee star running back Jabari Small has a new home. Small is signing with the Detroit Lions, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Friday.

Small, who signed with the Tennessee Titans last season as an undrafted free agent, has yet to see action in an NFL game.

Source: The #Lions are adding depth to their backfield, signing RB Jabari Small. The former Vols’ star was with the #Titans last season as a rookie. pic.twitter.com/0fibPp5lIO

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 18, 2025

Small played 45 games at Tennessee, recording 24 starts. While with the Volunteers, he rushed for 2,122 yards (16th most on UT’s all-time list) and 24 rushing touchdowns (12th most in program history). Following the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, Small declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and opted out of Tennessee‘s Citrus Bowl matchup against Iowa.

“I want to express how this University has made my college football experience truly special. These past four years the support, love and cheers have made this chapter special and unforgettable,” he posted.

“As I step into this new chapter towards chasing my dreams, I will forever carry the pride and spirit of the University of Tennessee with me. After much prayer and consideration with my family, I will be declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.

He spent the 2024 NFL season on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad after going undrafted, but was waived on May 14 of this year. He now joins a Detroit Lions franchise, primed to be one of the league’s top Super Bowl contenders this season.

“To me, by the end of the year we ought to be just scarred up,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. “We should be scarred up and ready to go, hardened for battle, and ready for the playoffs. It’ll be nothing easy about it. Just to get through our own division is gonna be brutal, but it’s the right kind of brutal.”