Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back T.J. Yeldon was locked and loaded for his NFL preseason debut Friday against Detroit. He missed two games due to a sprained finger on his left hand; however, the ex-Crimson Tide standout looked very comfortable.

Yeldon toted the ball eight times and caught a 12-yard pass from quarterback Blake Bortles.

He sold a fake well on Bortles’ play action pass, resulting in a 18-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Allen Hurns in the first quarter. Yeldon scored his first career NFL touchdown on a 1-yard run in the second quarter, giving Jacksonville a 14-13 lead at halftime.

Jaguars’ head coach Gus Bradley saw a lot of good things from Yeldon and Bortles, despite a 17-22 loss to Detroit. Bortles was sharp under center, completing 20 of 27 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown. Eight different receivers caught a pass from him.

Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.

Stephen M. Smith

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 15 years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.