Jones reaches 12,000-yard milestone in record pace
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.
With at least 119 receiving yards on Sunday, @AtlantaFalcons WR @juliojones_11 would become the fastest player to reach 12,000 receiving yards in @NFL history, doing so in 125 games - 17 fewer games than @ProFootballHOF WR Jerry Rice (142 games). #NFL100 #JAXvsATL pic.twitter.com/peikEKPCWr
— NFL345 (@NFL345) December 20, 2019
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.
