Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones returns to practice

After missing the last two games, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is on track to play in Week 16.

Playing the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers was a factor, but the Atlanta Falcons have won their last two games by a combined score of 83-27. Wide receiver Julio Jones has missed both games with a toe issue, but he has returned to practice as the Falcons prepare to play the Carolina Panthers in Week 16.

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said after last Sunday’s game he thought Jones would play in Week 16, and D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Jones will have a “full speed” test during Wednesday’s practice. That looks likely to be the true gauge of Jones’ health, though he could play limited snaps against Carolina at less than full strength.

The Panthers clearly wouldn’t mind not seeing Jones again this season, since he had 12 receptions for a career-high 300 yards with a touchdown against them back in Week 4. Due in part to that big game, Jones leads the league with 1,253 receiving yards despite missing the last two games.

With a win over the Panthers on Saturday, the Falcons can maintain a chance to earn a bye in the first round of the playoffs. Having Jones available would obviously help that cause, and he surely wants to get back on the field at a crucial time for the team.

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Jones’ fantasy owners would also like to have their No. 1 wide receiver back for championship week, assuming they’ve gotten to this point without him. He was ruled out for Week 15 last Friday, so if that template is followed by the Falcons this week, there should be no ambiguity about Jones’ status heading into Saturday’s game.