After beginning the season with NFL-leading statistics, a nagging hamstring injury has limited Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones’ impact on the field.
The injury appeared after the Falcons’ 48-21 win over the Texans on Oct. 4, but Jones said he’s continued to play by pushing past the pain.
“I feel like when I’ve been able to go out there and keep pushing and making plays and doing the little things right,” Jones said. “(This week) I’m good to go.”
Despite being limited in practice before each game, Jones played in the past two games, versus the Redskins and the Saints. Jones said Thursday that he has felt comfortable fully participating on the practice field this week.
Former Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas, playing his first season with the Titans, said Jones’ breakout season did not surprise him.
“I knew it was a matter of time before he had this breakout start,” Douglas said. “Being able to play with him for all those years I did, I know his work ethic. I know he’s an unbelievable player. Like I said, he has a chance to be the greatest player to ever play this game.”
Jones started the season looking unstoppable. However, in the Falcons’ past two games, Jones has not been the statistical powerhouse he was earlier in the season.
In the Falcons’ first three games, Jones caught 34 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns. In the Falcons’ most recent three games, Jones caught 15 passes for 198 yards and no touchdowns.
Although Jones’ has been limited in games with his hamstring injury, in Week 7, he still ranks second in the league in receiving yards, with 638 over 49 receptions. Jones ranks behind DeAndre Hopkins of the Texans with 52 receptions for 726.
Douglas said that from playing with Jones in Atlanta, he knows Jones is much more than the stats he records.
Douglas said Jones’ talent shines not just on the field, but in how Jones helps his team “in any way possible” whether it be on the field, blocking or in the weight room.
“He does everything in his power to be successful and help his team in any way possible,” Douglas said. “That’s not just catching balls. That’s blocking, putting in time at the complex and in the weight room.”
Douglas spent seven seasons with the Falcons (5-1), recording 258 receptions for 3,180 yards and eight touchdowns. With Marcus Mariota and the Titans’ offense, Douglas has nine receptions for 81 yards and one touchdown this season.
As the Falcons’ travel to Nashville on Sunday, Roddy White said he looks forward to playing his former teammate.
“There’s never a dull moment with Harry Douglas,” White said. “One of the special parts about him just each and every day his energy coming out on the field and just coming out and working as hard as we could and the jokes in the locker room with him. That’s probably one of the most important parts that I miss about him.”
As with White, Jones’ focus has shifted away from the Falcons’ first six games and toward facing a new challenge and former teammate.
Jones said in addition to work ethic and his teammates staying healthy in the coming weeks, one of the biggest factors on offense will be controlling and finishing games.
“We have to go out there, take care of the ball and do what we do,” Jones said “We just have to keep practicing and get better at (avoiding turnovers).”
The Falcons’ offense had three turnovers in each of their past two games.
About the Author
