GREEN BAY, Wis -- One of the biggest mysteries surrounding new Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, is whether or not he will suit up during the 2017 season.

To Green Bay Packers cornerback Kevin King, Jones' close friend, however, there is no mystery.

Jones will be playing this season.

"He ain't got no other plan but to play. He didn't come to red shirt. This isn't college," King said to NJ Advance Media on Thursday night at Lambeau Field. "I'd be surprised if he wasn't (playing)."

Kings' insistence that Jones will play is interesting, considering how close he is to Jones and the fact the two just spent time together. King and Jones hung out during the Eagles trip to Green Bay for the team's preseason opener, a 24-9 loss.

Jones, who suffered the injury back in March, was the Eagles' second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Washington, where he played with King.

"Sid is the kind of guy, his mindset isn't going to change," King said. "He knows what kind of player he is. To pop your Achilles and (only) drop to the second round, that means everyone knows what kind of player you are. He is going to come back fighting. He is doing everything he can rehabbing."

The Eagles have not been offering updates on Jones, but the cornerback did tell NJ Advance Media recently that his rehabilitation is still "on track", and has never shut the door on the idea he will suit up in 2017.

When Jones does suit up, King had no doubt that his former college teammate will have an immediate impact.

"Beast. Beast. Flat out beast," King said. "He leads by example. He is going to do his job every play. When I was out there in Washington, having guys like (Sidney) and (safety Buddah Baker), I never had to worry about if they were gonna do their job or not. Having that kind of trust in your defense, it is a great feeling."

The Eagles' current secondary likely doesn't match up with the one King and Jones played in at Washington, which is why both the fans and the team are anxious for Jones to get on the field. Cornerback is a major area of need for the Eagles, but a healthy Jones could change things quickly if he returns as the same player he was at Washington prior to the injury.

"I know how he is going to do on the football field. That doesn't concern me at all," King said. "I don't think he has a ceiling."

Jones is currently on the Non-Football Injury list, but has been an active participant in practice, talking constantly with coaches and even doing small, light drills to help his football.

"When he gets out on the field," King said, "I'm gonna have to get me a jersey."

And if King is right, he might be getting that jersey a lot sooner than many anticipated.

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.