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Falcons Optimistic Julio Jones Will Start Against Steelers

By Brandon C. Williams

Dec 8, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) tries to break away from Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams (38) after catching a pss in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) tries to break away from Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams (38) after catching a pss in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Falcons coach Mike Smith is optimistic wide receiver Julio Jones will be able to start against the Steelers on Sunday, as Jones continues to shake off a hip injury sustained on Monday night.

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If you went into your Fantasy football game on Monday night needing help from Julio Jones, you definitely got….and then some.

Jones caught 11 passes for a Falcons franchise record 259 yards in Atlanta’s 43-30 loss at Green Bay, yet Jones could have had an even bigger night had it not been for a hip injury he sustained. That hip remains pretty sore on Tuesday, but Atlanta coach Mike Smith feels that Jones will able to go when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Georgia Dome on Sunday.

The need for Jones is crucial for the Falcons (5-8), who are now tied with the Saints for first place in the meek NFC South. Quarterback Matt Ryan targeted Jones in 18 of his 39 attempts on Monday and has thrown in Jones’ direction 31 times in the last two weeks.

Monday’s outburst also allowed Jones to overtake the Steelers’ Brown for first place in yardage. Jones now has 1,428 yards and faces a Steelers secondary that is 23rd against the pass while allowing 28 touchdowns. With three games remaining, Jones is on pace for 1,758 yards, which would be the fourth-highest total in NFL history.

Considering that the Falcons will close out the regular season against the weak secondaries of the Saints and Panthers, Jones stands an outside chance of breaking Lions wideout Calvin Johnson’s league-record 1,964 yards, which Megatron set during the 2012 season.

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