A centre, he previously played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Gold Coast Titans, Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League.

His junior clubs were Chester Hill Hornets, Merrylands Rams, Fairfield Patrician Brothers, Bankstown Sports, Guildford Raiders, Berala Bears and Forster Tuncurry Hawkes.

[14] Idris performances early in the 2009 season prompted dual international Wendell Sailor to say: "What Jamal's doing at the moment, I think it's a lot better than what Izzy (Israel Folau) was doing at the same age.

Early into the 2011 NRL season, Idris was rumoured to have received contract offers from the Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans.

[24][25] Weeks later, Idris was selected for Australia, debuting against New Zealand in the 2011 ANZAC Test playing off the interchange bench and scoring a try in the Kangaroos 20–10 win at Cbus Super Stadium.

At the end of the season Idris was involved in talks with the Penrith Panthers as he sought a return to Sydney on compassionate grounds to be closer to his family.

In a return deal, the Penrith club released Brad Tighe from the final two years of his contract to join the Gold Coast.

[33] Idris was again selected for NSW Country Origin side, scoring a try and was awarded Man of the Match in the 26–26 all draw.

[34] On 29 May, Idris was stood down by the Penrith club to seek help with personal issues, including depression and alcohol abuse, after he failed to report back to training following a four-day road trip to the Gold Coast.

[37] In Round 17 against the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, Idris scored his first try in Penrith colours on his 24th birthday in the club's 26–10 win.

[43] Idris was the brand ambassador of the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund (Youpla), part-owned by his brother Isaac Simon.