LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -Chicago Bears running back Thomas Jones will start Friday against the Arizona Cardinals after missing the first two preseason games with a pulled hamstring.
``He feels good,'' coach Lovie Smith said after Wednesday's practice. ``He doesn't think he'll be (limited). We don't think he'll be, but we know he's coming off an injury and will keep that under consideration. But we think he should be fine and ready to go.''
Jones, who rushed for a career-high 1,335 yards last season, was dropped from the top of the depth chart after missing voluntary offseason workouts.
He was expected to compete with Cedric Benson for the starting job, but injuries to both players put that on hold. Jones got hurt July 27 and did not practice in pads until Monday. Benson, who sprained his left shoulder Aug. 5, is not expected to play this week and is questionable for the final preseason game at Cleveland. He was disciplined for leaving the sideline during last Friday's game against San Diego and missing a mandatory meeting afterward.
The No. 4 pick in the 2005 draft, Benson missed the entire preseason last year while negotiating a contract and was limited by a knee injury. He finished with 272 yards rushing.
``He feels good,'' coach Lovie Smith said after Wednesday's practice. ``He doesn't think he'll be (limited). We don't think he'll be, but we know he's coming off an injury and will keep that under consideration. But we think he should be fine and ready to go.''
Jones, who rushed for a career-high 1,335 yards last season, was dropped from the top of the depth chart after missing voluntary offseason workouts.
He was expected to compete with Cedric Benson for the starting job, but injuries to both players put that on hold. Jones got hurt July 27 and did not practice in pads until Monday. Benson, who sprained his left shoulder Aug. 5, is not expected to play this week and is questionable for the final preseason game at Cleveland. He was disciplined for leaving the sideline during last Friday's game against San Diego and missing a mandatory meeting afterward.
The No. 4 pick in the 2005 draft, Benson missed the entire preseason last year while negotiating a contract and was limited by a knee injury. He finished with 272 yards rushing.
