Ole Miss’ Benito Jones taken to hospital after hit during scrimmage

Published 12:47 pm Saturday, August 12, 2017

A starter on Ole Miss’ defensive line was taken to a local hospital for precautionary reasons Saturday.

Nose tackle Benito Jones was admitted to Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi to undergo spinal X-rays after taking a “hard hit” during the Rebels’ first scrimmage of training camp, an Ole Miss spokesman said in a statement. Jones did not lose feeling or movement in his extremities.

The scrimmage was closed to the media and the public.

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A former five-star recruit, Jones has been repping with the first-team defense throughout camp after making four starts as a freshman last season. The 6-foot-2, 315-pound Jones finished with 39 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss last season.

Jones is the latest projected starter to miss time because of an injury. Left tackle Greg Little (concussion), receiver Van Jefferson (knee scope) and running back Jordan Wilkins (minor knee sprain) were held out of practice Wednesday and Friday, though coaches have said Wilkins and Jefferson are being held back as a precaution.

Cornerback Myles Hartsfield did not practice during the periods of Friday’s practice open to the media.

UPDATE Sunday at 2:11 p.m.

Jones was released from the hospital Sunday morning after all tests came back negative. An Ole Miss spokesman said Jones’ status is day-to-day as his symptoms resolve.