Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Jones reaches 12,000-yard milestone in record pace

Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones talks about reaching career milestone. (Video by D. Orlando Ledbetter/AJC)
By
Dec 22, 2019

Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones entered the game with 11,881 yards.

In the third quarter against the Jaguars on Sunday, he went over the 12,000-career receiving yards mark. He became the fastest player in NFL history to reach that plateau — doing so in 125 games.

The previous mark was set by Jerry Rice, who surpassed the mark in 142 games.

Jones finished with 10 catches for 166 yards — his 55th career 100-yard game.

“Matt Ryan has been with me since Day One,” Jones said after the game. “I appreciate him. I appreciate the offensive line. It’s a big accomplishment.”

With 790 career catches for 12,047 yards and 57 touchdowns, Jones moved ahead of Michael Irvin (11,904), and is now 26th in NFL history in receiving yards.

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

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor piled up 244 yards rushing in a 31-25 win over the Falcons in Berlin on Sunday. (Ebrahim Noorozi/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons come up short, lose to Colts 31-25 in overtime thriller

The Falcons looked to have a win in their grasp in Berlin against the Colts, but Jonathan Taylor's 244 rushing yards proved to be too much in a 31-25 overtime loss.

Take 5: Five quick takeaways from the Falcons’ 31-25 loss to the Colts in Berlin

The Falcons had a 25-22 lead with less than two minutes to go against the Colts but couldn't hang on in overtime, losing their fourth straight game.

GAME RECAP

Berlin heartbreak: Colts top Falcons, 31-25, in OT with Taylor’s big game

It’s off to Berlin for Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter for Sunday’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Latest

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor piled up 244 yards rushing in a 31-25 win over the Falcons in Berlin on Sunday. (Ebrahim Noorozi/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons come up short, lose to Colts 31-25 in overtime thriller

Take 5: Five quick takeaways from the Falcons’ 31-25 loss to the Colts in Berlin

GAME RECAP

Berlin heartbreak: Colts top Falcons, 31-25, in OT with Taylor’s big game

Featured

Passengers wait at a Delta check-in counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. It was the first day the Federal Aviation Administration cut flight capacity at airports during the government shutdown. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Prolonged shutdown could force 20% flight cuts, U.S. officials warn

The Federal Aviation Administration started reducing flights Friday at 40 major airports, which includes Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

With SNAP benefits in limbo, Atlanta residents step up to help

With SNAP benefits in limbo after a late-Friday Supreme Court decision, many metro Atlanta residents are putting their own money toward supporting those affected.

Study: Rents for low-wage Atlantans rose 9 times faster than for high earners

Rents for suburban workforce housing in the metro Atlanta region increased by almost 20%, while rents for luxury units increased by 2%, a study said.