In the days leading up to the Atlanta Falcons' Week 14 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, there has been some underlying concern about star wide receiver Julio Jones regarding a nagging foot injury.
This has lingered over the last few days in practice, but it's something that Jones voiced on Thursday that he doesn't believe will prevent him from being able to take the field on Sunday afternoon, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
#Falcons WR Julio Jones on closing out the season: “Go out and don’t play timid… I’m going to go out here and and put it on the line.” pic.twitter.com/cgx4NYDfRE
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) December 6, 2018
Jones has been able to play through injuries this season while avoiding missing any playing time in the process. This has been a constant theme throughout the last few years of his career, but it hasn't prevented him from playing an elite level. That has certainly been the case this season as he has played at a Pro Bowl level once again as he's currently fourth with 86 receptions along with being first with 1,323 receiving yards and 110.3 receiving yards. Jones has also notched 100 or more receiving yards seven times this season that had included each of the last six straight games prior to the 26-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13.
This was a huge offensive struggle all the way around for the Falcons in that contest going up arguably the best defense in the league that saw Jones record just two catches for a season-low 18 receiving yards. His lack of production in that contest shouldn't draw much concern as the team should be in store for a bounce-back performance against another struggling team in the Packers.
Throughout his career, Jones has been regarded as one of the best wide receivers in the league if not the top player at his position. He has proven to be a game-changing talent that can dominate in the passing game behind size, strength, and speed. Jones will have an opportunity to get back on track this week on the road against Green Bay.