Tony Jefferson keen to remind people of the player he is with the 49ers

San Francisco 49ers safety Tony Jefferson missed the entire 2020 season as he recovered from a torn ACL suffered the previous season with the Baltimore Ravens.

Having last played in an NFL game in October 2019, Jefferson can’t wait to show the league what he’s still capable of.

“If you go away for a year, you completely miss everything,” Jefferson told the NFL Network. “You just want to put your hand in the pile at this point. For me, not being drafted is like starting all over again and just going out and proving yourself and making a name for yourself. Because, you know, you take a year off, a lot of people forget. Forget who you are, forget what you’ve done, and it’s time for me to remind people.

Jefferson had had two very strong seasons with the Ravens before his injury in 2019 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also started well that year before being sidelined. As he worked to recover from his knee injury, he couldn’t find a team that wanted to bring him in last year.

The 49ers signed Jefferson last month and he brings veteran experience to a safety post who dealt with injuries himself last season. Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward each suffered injuries last season in San Francisco.

Jefferson can’t wait to show he still has it after regaining his full strength.

“I’m thrilled that I can just get my hands on it, work my tail and prove myself,” Jefferson said. “Like I said, taking a year off for a guy who’s been playing since he was four, words can’t quite express how excited I am for this opportunity.”