Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is a game-time decision to play in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers due to hip and rib injuries. However, the belief is he will play through those injuries, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The #Falcons will work out WR Julio Jones this morning to double check, but the belief is that he’ll play today through hip and rib injuries, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2018
The Falcons are 5-9 and have been well out of the playoff race following a five-game losing skid. However, Jones is likely choosing to try and play in order to solidify his lead in receiving yards this season. He currently has 1,511 yards, a significant amount ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Mike Evans, who has 1,328.
Through 14 games, Jones has also racked up 100 catches, the first time he’s topped 100 catches since 2015 when he had a career-high 136 catches with 1,871 yards.
Jones is highly unlikely to match those amazing numbers with just two games remaining, but he will likely hold onto his lead as the league leader in receiving yards if he can put up semi-decent numbers over the last two weeks.
Jones and the Falcons finally ended their disastrous five-game losing skid last week as they thumped the Arizona Cardinals, 40-14. Jones had six catches for 82 yards with a touchdown in that game against the Cards.
The Falcons' chances of picking up another win should be significantly high with Jones likely to play coupled with the fact that the Panthers are without quarterback Cam Newton, who has been shut down for the season due to his shoulder injury.
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