Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, who was inactive for Sunday’s game against the Steelers with a hip injury, is expected to be ready to play against the Saints, Falcons head coach Mike Smith said on Monday.
“Julio is about where he was yesterday,” Smith said. “Our anticipation is that we’ll have him ready to go this week. It’s going to be important for him to continue to improve. He improved from last week to this week. We need to get him back out there.”
Jones was listed as questionable on the team’s injury report before the Steelers game.
Smith said he was close to playing and expects that by later in the week he’ll be ready to return.
Falcons safety William Moore (foot) is also recovering from injury and right guard Jon Asamoah left the game with “tightness” in his back. He’s not expected to fully participate in practice on Wednesday.
Jones and Moore left the Falcons’ 43-37 loss at the Packers in the fourth quarter on Dec. 8 and did not return.
Jones leads the NFL in receiving yards (1,428) after setting career highs in yards in consecutive games. Jones also leads the league with 27 receptions of 20 yards or longer.
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