Stat corner: Julio Jones has shot at 1,000 yards

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Falcons rookie receiver Julio Jones missed the first game with the Saints this season with a hamstring injury.

But now he is within striking distance of a 1,000-yard season after two strong games in a row.

Jones has 42 receptions for 755 yards and five touchdowns. His average of 18 yards per catch is tops among rookies.

Cincinnati’s A.J. Green, the former UGA standout who was the top receiver taken in the 2011 draft, has 61 catches for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns.

“You’ve seen what he’s capable of doing on the run after catch,” Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey said of Jones. “Whether if it’s a quick throw out where he got six yards and broke a tackle or when he caught the route, broke a tackle and took it [75 yards] for a touchdown [against Carolina.]”

Jones' numbers are a little skewed because he has missed three games and major parts of two others.

Cleveland’s Greg Little (57), Seattle’s Doug Baldwin (46) and Baltimore’s Torrey Smith (43) are the other rookie receivers with more receptions than Jones.