Jeff Wilson (American football)

Jeffery Wilson Jr. (born November 16, 1995) is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Texas and signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

Early life
Wilson attended and played high school football at Elkhart High School in Elkhart, Texas. He was named an Associated Press Class 2A first-team all-state as a senior after rushing for 2,749 yards and 36 touchdowns. A 2-star running back recruit, Wilson committed to North Texas over offers from Louisiana-Monroe, New Mexico State, and Texas State.

College career
Wilson appeared in 41 games (29 starts) during his four-year career at North Texas. He rushed for 3,205 yards and 32 touchdowns on 562 attempts, while adding 70 receptions for 527 yards and two touchdowns. He finished his college career ranked third in rushing touchdowns (32) and fourth in rushing yards (3,205) in school history.

2018 season
Wilson signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2018. He was waived on September 1, 2018, and was signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on November 24, 2018.

Wilson made his NFL debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12. He had seven carries for 33 rushing yards in the 9–27 road loss.

Wilson finished his rookie year with 66 carries for 266 rushing yards and 12 receptions for 98 receiving yards.

2019 season
On August 31, 2019, Wilson was waived by the 49ers and was signed to the practice squad the next day.

On September 14, 2019, Wilson was promoted to the active roster after Tevin Coleman was injured in the season opener against the Buccaneers. During Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Wilson rushed 10 times for 34 yards and two touchdowns in the 41–17 road victory. In the next game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wilson rushed eight times for 18 yards and two touchdowns in the 24–20 victory. During a Week 11 36–26 victory against the Arizona Cardinals, Wilson caught the game-winning touchdown from Jimmy Garoppolo for his first NFL receiving touchdown.

Wilson finished his second season with 27 carries for 105 yards and four touchdowns along with three receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers reached Super Bowl LIV, but lost 31–20 to the Kansas City Chiefs. In the Super Bowl, he caught a 20-yard reception.

2020 season
On April 20, 2020, Wilson was re-signed by the 49ers to a one-year contract. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on July 30, 2020, and activated from the list five days later.

In Week 3 against the New York Giants, Wilson recorded 69 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving) during the 36–9 win. In Week 7 against the New England Patriots, he had 17 carries for 112 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns before leaving the 33–6 victory with a high-ankle sprain. He was placed on injured reserve on October 31. He was activated on November 28, 2020. In Week 16 against the Cardinals, he had 22 carries for a career-high 183 rushing yards and a reception for a 21-yard receiving touchdown in the 20–12 victory. Overall, Wilson appeared in 12 games in the 2020 season. He finished with 126 carries for 600 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns to go along with 13 receptions for 133 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.

2021 season
Wilson signed a one-year contract extension with the 49ers on January 26, 2021. He was placed on the reserve/PUP list on August 31, 2021. He was activated on November 6. In Week 15, against the Atlanta Falcons, he had 21 carries for 110 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the 31–13 victory. In the 2021 season, he appeared in nine games. He finished with 79 carries for 294 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

2022 season
On March 29, 2022, Wilson re-signed with the 49ers. In Week 5, against the Carolina Panthers, he had 17 carries for 120 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the 37–15 victory.

Miami Dolphins
On November 1, 2022, the 49ers traded Wilson to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. In Week 10, against the Cleveland Browns, he had 143 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in the 39–17 victory. Overall, Wilson recorded 176 carries for 860 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns to go along with 22 receptions for 185 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 2022 season. Wilson scored a rushing touchdown in the 34–31 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round.

Wilson signed a two-year contract extension with the Dolphins on March 16, 2023. He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2023. He was activated on October 21.