Julio Jones declared himself “100 percent” and with “no limitations” for the Falcons’ season-opener against the Saints Sunday.
The Pro Bowl wide receiver will return after a disappointing 2013 season where he was limited to five games due to a second broken foot. He had surgery in October to place a second and bigger screw in the once before broken fifth metatarsal bone. The months of recovery and slow, calculated progression toward a return are about to end.
“I’m just happy to be back, just being healthy and going out there and playing in the regular season,” Jones said Thursday. “I was down last year. I wasn’t there to help my teammates. Now, I just feel great man. I feel like I’m 100 percent right now going into this game.”
Jones said he is at the point where he no longer thinks about the injured right foot. He continues to receive regular treatment.
And he has those new shoes.
Under Armour developed a shoe especially for Jones that is wider and has a steel shank. He said he has been wearing the cleat since February – well before he was cleared to start running. He has gotten more and more comfortable with the shoe. And the supply keeps coming.
Jones said he wears a pair about twice before replacing them. He wear a new pair for a game. You see, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound receiver isn’t kind on cleats.
“Very comfortable for me,” Jones said. “I don’t have to worry about them.”
