ON THE FALCONS BEAT
ON THE FALCONS BEAT

Deion Jones to miss exhibition game against Chiefs tonight

Matt Bryant, Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman will be held out also
August 7, 2018 Flowery Branch: Atlanta Falcons linebackers Duke Riley (left) and Deion Jones watch from the sidelines between defensive series at NFL football training camp practice on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, in Flowery Branch. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

August 7, 2018 Flowery Branch: Atlanta Falcons linebackers Duke Riley (left) and Deion Jones watch from the sidelines between defensive series at NFL football training camp practice on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, in Flowery Branch. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
By
Aug 17, 2018

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.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) passes during practice at NFL football minicamp in Metairie, La., Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Credit: AP

The Real QBs of the NFC South: Baker Mayfield, Michael Penix Jr., Bryce Young, Tyler Shough?

Which quarterback in the NFL South will keep his team off the merry-go-round of mediocrity?

Falcons to host most open practices of NFC South teams

The Atlanta Falcons will hold 11 open practices in Flowery Branch this summer — more than any other NFC South team. Fans can attend for free.

James Pearce Jr. seen as Falcons’ top DROY candidate

James Pearce Jr. is seen as the Falcons' top candidate for defensive rookie of the year.

The Latest

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) passes during practice at NFL football minicamp in Metairie, La., Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Credit: AP

The Real QBs of the NFC South: Baker Mayfield, Michael Penix Jr., Bryce Young, Tyler Shough?

Falcons to host most open practices of NFC South teams

Falcons coordinator Jeff Ulbrich skilled in developing players, defenses

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS

Amid UPS struggles, shipper makes first-ever plans to offer buyouts to drivers

UPS said in a written statement it is navigating “an unprecedented business landscape.”

Kneeling man impaled by giant straw? Towering mural leaves public mystified.

A towering mural on the side of the Connally Hotel has mystified Atlanta since 2011. Who is the kneeling man, and what's piercing him? Is it a beam of light? A drinking straw?

OPINION

I just graduated college. Will I be able to buy a house like my parents did?

A recent college grad asks: Am I going to be able to buy a home like my parents did less than 30 years ago?