Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (hamstring injury) will not play against the Chargers while running back Todd Gurley (knee) will have a full-time role, interim coach Raheem Morris announced Friday.
The Falcons (4-8) are set to play the Chargers (3-9) at 4:25 p.m. Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
“He’ll be out for this week,” Morris said of Jones. “We’ll figure out the rest of the season moving forward. But he’ll definitely be out this week. We’ll have ‘Coach Julio’ with us on the road. He’ll be out there and help his guys, support us in any way that he can.”
Also, right tackle Kaleb McGary is away from the team for a personal matter and is questionable for the game. Assistant offensive line coach Bob Kronenberg will not travel. Diversity coaching fellow Nick Jones will handle his duties Sunday.
If McGary doesn’t make it back to the team in time, Matt Gono would fill in at right tackle.
Gurley, who missed the Raiders game with a knee injury, played 22 of 67 offensive snaps (33%) against the Saints last week.
“Todd’s role is a lot (more) normal this week,” Morris said. “He’ll be in his normal rotation at running back.”
Gurley was used as a situational back on third downs and in the red zone Sunday against the Saints.
Jones played 63 of 67 offensive snaps (94%) against the Saints, but has not practiced this week. He’s been battling the hamstring injury all season.
Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowler has missed three games and major parts of two others. He’s played in nine games and has caught 51 passes for 771 yards and three touchdowns. Calvin Ridley leads the team with 59 catches for 905 yards and seven touchdowns.
Ridley and Russell Gage will be the top two receivers. Brandon Powell and Christian Blake have backed them up. Laquon Treadwell, a former first-round pick, made his debut with the Falcons last week against the Saints on special teams. He could be ready for some action from scrimmage.
Friday, Dec. 11
Full Participation
- P Sterling Hofrichter (right hamstring)
- RB Ito Smith (neck)
- FB Keith Smith (neck)
- LB Foye Oluokun (neck)
- DE Jacob Tuioti-Mariner (neck)
Limited Participation
- S Keanu Neal (ankle)
- DE Dante Fowler (hamstring)
- TE Hayden Hurst (ankle)
- DT Grady Jarrett (groin)
Did Not Participate
- WR Julio Jones (hamstring)
- RB Todd Gurley (knee)
- S Ricardo Allen (concussion)
- T Kaleb McGary (not injury related – personal matter)
- G James Carpenter (groin)
Friday, Dec. 11 – Game Report
Questionable
- T Kaleb McGary (not injury related – personal matter)
Out
- WR Julio Jones (hamstring)
- S Ricardo Allen (concussion)
- G James Carpenter (groin).
Falcons’ final four games
Falcons at Chargers at 4:25 p.m., Sunday
Buccaneers at Falcons at 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20
Falcons at Chiefs at 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 27
Falcons at Buccaneers at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 3
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