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"I'm not there yet, I can tell you that,Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic," Jones said Friday when asked if he was close to 100 percent.
The Falcons may be without starting running back Steven Jackson (quadriceps) against the Panthers. Jackson's injury makes Jones' status especially important.
"Julio is an integral part to our offense and our football team," coach Mike Smith said Friday. "He's very explosive. He creates explosive plays and he creates mismatches for defenses. It's going to be very important for us to create some explosive plays in the game this week."
Quarterback Matt Ryan said Jones impressed his teammates by playing through the injury last week.
Despite missing one game with the injury two weeks ago, Jones leads the NFC with 100 catches and 1,535 yards receiving. He had seven catches for 107 yards in last week's win at New Orleans, even though he continues to battle the injury.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Julio Jones is a game-changing wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons — even when he's less than full speed.
Jones is enjoying a strong finish to the regular season. He has three straight games with at least 100 yards. He had 10 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown in a home win over Arizona on Nov. 30. Jones followed that with 11 catches for a franchise-record 259 yards and a touchdown at Green Bay on Dec. 8,Cheap NFL Jerseys China. He missed the loss to Pittsburgh on Dec. 14.
"It's a mindset," Jones said. "I know I've got to be out there for my teammates and if I tell those guys upstairs and Mike Smith that I'm ready to go, then I'm ready to go and I'm going to give it my all."
"The thing I like about this game is the opportunity," Jones said.
Jones earned his second Pro Bowl berth this year,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping. His play has been a rare positive in a mostly disappointing season for the Falcons (6-9).
Jones had 79 receptions for 1,198 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012, his second season. He was leading the NFL in catches when his 2013 season ended with a broken bone in his right foot in a Week 5 loss to the Jets. He broke the same bone during his college career at Alabama.
Receivers Roddy White (ankle) and Harry Douglas (foot) are listed as probable.
"Julio has had an unbelievable year," Ryan said. "The production that he's showed has been impressive. Even for a teammate to step back and look at it, he's been incredibly impressive."
Jones said he plans to play Sunday, though he was designated as questionable instead of probable on Friday's injury report.
The bigger injury question appears to be Jackson, whose status is questionable. He left last week's win at New Orleans with the quadriceps injury.
A win Sunday would give Atlanta a home playoff game the following week.
Jackson was on the practice field but did not have a helmet in the portion of Friday's practice that was open to reporters,Wholesale NBA Jerseys China. Smith said all the players on the injury report were "participating in practice at some level."
"Everybody in this locker room knows how much this means to him and how competitive of a guy he is and how tough of a player he is," Ryan said. "I think guys really respect him for that."
NOTES: There was a light-hearted end to the practice. Players cheered and Smith served as the referee as the Falcons' training staff beat the equipment staff in an annual flag football game,Wholesale Jerseys 2020. Smith cautioned the flag football teams against tackling because "We're going to need you on Sunday." ,Cheap Jerseys... PK Matt Bryant (sick) missed practice and is listed as probable. CB Josh Wilson (hamstring) is questionable.
That's why it was so important for the team's playoff hopes that Jones, recovering from a hip injury, returned to practice Friday. The Falcons will need their top offensive threat when the NFC South title is on the line Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. |
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