The veteran was then limited in training camp with a hamstring issue — but it all changed when he filled up the stat sheet in the final preseason game in Dallas.
Jefferson finished that game with 14 tackles (11 solo), two interceptions, a forced fumble, a sack, two passes defensed and a quarterback hit in that game.
He had made his case for the roster loud and clear.
“It gave me a little boost of confidence after that,” Jefferson said. “Obviously during the season I had to wait my turn, wait until my opportunity came and I just wanted to make sure I was ready.
“I think that game helped me with my confidence going forward,” he added.
Jefferson went on to start the season on the practice squad before filling in a major role later in the year due to injuries, playing in eight games and starting four of them. He also started and forced a fumble during the Wild Card round.
It was a long process to get to where he wanted to be in his return to football last year.
Now this season, the 33-year-old is feeling a far contrast to what he felt like going into his minicamp tryout last season.
“Now I’ve got my feet under me… I feel like I’m in the flow of everything,” Jefferson said. “Just continuing to ascend health-wise.”
A large part of the improving health this year was something Jefferson attributed to Chargers Executive Director of Player Performance Ben Herbert.
The veteran has been hard at work with Herbert throughout the offseason, as he developed a plan that has Jefferson loving the way he’s feeling entering his 11th season.
“Being with Herb early on has helped me,” Jefferson said. “I always say, the longer I’m with him, the longer I’m going to play.
“He just does a great job of having a plan for everybody,” Jefferson added. “It’s not just doing this or doing that, there’s a plan for everything. That’s been going well, I’m really excited about that.”