RB T.J. Yeldon could start in preseason debut for Jaguars
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jul 31, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon (24) runs during training camp workouts at Florida Blue Health & Wellness Practice Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back T.J. Yeldon will make his preseason debut Friday against Detroit.
A second-round draft pick from Alabama, Yeldon was held out of the first two exhibition games because of a sprained finger on his left hand.
"If it was a critical time or game, he could have played last week," coach Gus Bradley said Sunday. "This week, we feel better about his opportunity. I would see him getting some reps with the 1s and 2s, mostly 1s, though."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Veteran defensive end Chris Clemons and rookie safety James Sample also are expected to play against the Lions. Clemons sat out the first two weeks of training camp while dealing with personal issues. Sample has been sidelined since breaking his right forearm during organized team activities in June.
Receiver Arrelious Benn, who broke his collarbone Saturday night against the New York Giants, will have surgery Tuesday. Benn was having a solid training camp while vying for one of the team's final receiver spots on the 53-man roster. Now, he's injured for the fourth consecutive year.
A second-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2010, Benn missed the second half of the 2012 season with knee and shoulder injuries. After being traded to Philadelphia in 2013, Benn tore a knee ligament and missed the entire season. He sat out all of last year after another preseason injury.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"His attitude is phenomenal," Bradley said. "He said, `This isn't my first rodeo. I've had some injuries like this. I'll deal with it and I'll be back.' He had a great attitude about it. It is so unfortunate because he was doing some really, really good things for us."