Jacquez Jones returns to Kentucky football practice

A projected starter for the Kentucky Wildcats is back in action. KSR has learned that Jacquez Jones returned to practice earlier this week.

Jones suffered a minor injury during the first week of preseason practice. Despite an almost two-week absence, defensive coordinator Brad White does not believe the middle linebacker will miss a beat.

“I think he’ll be pretty quick,” White said of his expectations for Jacquez Jones’ return. “He’s an extremely smart football player; obviously, a young man that’s played in the SEC for three years, so football moves at a little bit slower pace for him. Right now for the freshmen, everything is warp speed; things are slower for him, things are slower for DeAndre Square.

“Coming off an injury, those guys tend to—once they get healthy, the game speed and understanding our playbook, I do not see being an issue.”

Jones spent the first three years of his career at Ole Miss. He appeared in 33 games and started 19 times for the Rebels. Last year he led the team in tackles with 75, totaling 182 in his career.

The addition of Jones this summer addressed a depth concern at inside linebacker, following the unexpected departure of Jamin Davis and D’Eryk Jackson’s season-ending injury. This minor bump in the road may help Kentucky long term. While Jones was sidelined, true freshman Trevin Wallace took a majority of the first team reps, expediting the highly-touted recruit’s development.