Atlanta Falcons ‘Optimistic’ Julio Jones Will Play Week 16
By Hayden Kane
The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly optimistic that wide receiver Julio Jones will be able to play despite a hip injury for a key game against the New Orleans Saints on the week 16 NFL schedule.
Like it or not, the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints both have a great chance to play in the 2014 NFL playoffs. Furthermore, either the Carolina Panthers, Falcons, or Saints will be guaranteed a postseason spot as the winner of the NFC South.
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When the Falcons head to New Orleans for a week 16 game against the Saints, the winner of that game will control their own destiny in the division. Whichever team wins will have a “win and in” situation in week 17.
That obviously makes this game the biggest of the season for each team. One of the most important stories for both teams, then, is the health of superstar wide receiver Julio Jones. The University of Alabama product was coming off back-to-back 200 yard receiving games when a hip injury held him out of his team’s week 15 game.
Jones will be a game-time decision against the Saints, but the sense is that the team is hopeful he will play. Per Albert Breer:
Falcons are optimistic that Julio Jones will play today, I'm told. So too is Jones. Final check on his hip injury pregame.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 21, 2014
Julio Jones ran on Wednesday and again yesterday before travel. Hip's in better shape than last week. Again, final check pregame.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 21, 2014
Other than the quarterbacks, it’s hard to think of a player who can individually impact this game as much as Jones. His health will be a key story to watch on Sunday.
Jones has 1,426 yards receiving and six touchdowns this season.
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