Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong, a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist who missed last week's win over Washington State with a concussion, is expected to play Friday when the Sun Devils meet archrival Arizona.
Arizona State coach Todd Graham and offensive coordinator Mike Norvell told reporters Monday that Strong -- who was injured late in the Nov. 15 loss at Oregon State -- should play in the game, which has Pac-12 South Division title implications.
Strong (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), a junior, leads the Sun Devils and is fifth in the Pac-12 with 71 receptions, nine of which have gone for TDs. He is one of just two ASU wide receivers with more than 13 receptions, so his presence will be vital as the Sun Devils look to exploit Arizona's mediocre pass defense; the Wildcats surrender 275.9 passing yards per game and have allowed 21 touchdown passes.
NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks has said Strong has the potential "to be a No. 1 receiver." He is a big-time athlete with size, and while he doesn't have elite speed, he does run in the low 4.5s in the 40.
Strong -- a Philadelphia native who arrived at Arizona State last year after a stint at a junior college -- has had his four 100-yard performances this season.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
