Loston gets his shot at strong safety for Jacksonville

Aug 14, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars strong safety Craig Loston (39) during the first quarter of the preseason game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

With Jacksonville Jaguars strong safety Johnathan Cyprien ruled out of Saturday's preseason matchup against the New York Giants, the team is turning to a surprising name to fill in at starter.

Head coach Gus Bradley said second-year player Craig Loston will start while Cyprien sits out with a broken finger, despite the face that Josh Evans is ahead of Loston on the team's current depth chart.

Lotson's primary experience to date has come on special teams, but he did play 44 defensive snaps in last week's preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I think he's really surprised us how fast he's picked it up,'' Bradley said, per Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union.

Loston said he'll try not get overwhelmed being thrown in with the starting group.

"You can't let the moment get too big,'' Loston said. "It's kind of like mellow the moment and take it for what it is and execute.''

An undrafted free agent out of LSU, Loston played in 13 games as a rookie last year, but made just three tackles. He said he feels much more comfortable with Jackonville's defense this season.

"It's gotten easier for me from last year to this year,'' Loston said. "I have a better understanding of the defense and the things they're asking us to do.''

(h/t Florida Times-Union)