Jaguars hopeful Kelvin Beachum will play against Bengals

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been taking their time easing left tackle Kelvin Beachum into the lineup and giving him ample recovery days off. Beachum participate in some team drills last week with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in town for joint practice, but as expected was once again held out of the preseason game on Saturday. The Jaguars are hopeful that Beachum will be able to play in Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and in reality that was always the target for his debut with the team.

"Our hope is that everything goes smooth in practice this week, so he has a chance to play on Sunday," Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley said on Sunday during a conference call with the media. "We will see. He has made really good progress. He got some practice reps. His confidence level is there. We hope everything falls into place this week."

Beachum was signed in free agency by the Jaguars on what was essentially a one-year prove it deal, that allows the team to pick up a four-year option if everything goes smoothly. He tore his ACL last October and is right on track to be able to start Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, but everyone would like to see him get some snaps on the field during the preseason so he can get his feet under him in a game that doesn't matter.

If Beachum can start Sunday, it will give the Jaguars their first look at the first team offensive line for the opening week, including Luke Joeckel at left guard.