Falcons Pro Bowl middle linebacker Deion Jones suffered a mild strain on Thursday and will not play in the exhibtion game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, according to the team.
Also, kicker Matt Bryant, who has an undisclosed injury, will not play.
Wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Devonta Freeman will be held out of the game in a coaching decision. Neither player has an injury and both were held out of the exhibition opener against the Jets on Aug. 10.
With Freeman out and Tevin Coleman a known commodity, the Falcons are going to take a long look at fourth-round pick Ito Smith. They would like to see him get 8 to 10 carries and run the ball with some authority in their outside zone scheme.
