Rookie wide receiver Julio Jones, who was having a solid season, returns to the lineup after missing the past two games because of a hamstring injury.
The Falcons contend that it was a coincidence that they re-established their running attack in victories over Carolina and Detroit while Jones was out. Others believe the team was trying to force the ball to their highly touted rookie.
Jones has 25 catches for 358 receiving yards, but has not reached the end zone. He is third among rookies in catches and yards receiving. Cincinnati’s A.J. Green leads all rookies in catches, yards and touchdowns with 33 catches for 516 yards and five touchdowns.
“Because he’s been running on the side with our athletic-performance department, I don’t think that the conditioning is going to be too big of an issue,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.
The Falcons hope that the time off may have helped Jones.
“To get an opportunity to watch some of the other guys go through the practices and spend time watching and not necessarily participating can be a positive,” Smith said.
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