HOUSTON -- Falcons coach Mike Smith gave his stock "we have a plan" answer when asked if wide receiver Julio Jones was set to make his return against the Houston Texans at 8 p.m. Saturday at NRG Stadium.
“We have a plan and we all know what it is and that’s to make sure that we have our players healthy and ready to go,” Smith said after practice on Thursday. “We’re not going to deviate from that. And I don’t want to give anybody any information that’s going to help them get prepared.”
The Falcons have a pre-game walk-through today at Rice University.
However, Jones, told a medical reporter, that he plans to play against the Texans.
...(Jones) does feel legs well rested after shortened season last year. Expects some preseason action this weekend.
Credit: Michael Cunningham
Credit: Michael Cunningham
Jones, the Falcons’ dynamic young wide receiver, who’s recovering from foot surgery, has been practicing one day and taking the next day off. He practiced on Wednesday against the Texans and had Thursday off.
Jones is returning from a broken fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot that he suffered in the fifth game of last season against the New York Jets in Oct.
Jones’ problem was first noticed at the scouting combine in 2011. Jones had the original surgery and Dr. Robertson Anderson predicted a full recovery.
Jones was solid as a rookie in 2011 and went to the Pro Bowl after his second season in 2012. Last season, Jones caught 41 passes and was on a record-setting pace for a monster campaign before he suffered the broken foot.
While his training-camp practice schedule will be limited, Jones said he planned to be in the starting lineup when the Falcons open the regular season against the New Orleans Saints at 1 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Georgia Dome.
TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE
Date Practice Times (public availability)
Friday, August 15 Pregame walk-through (No Media Availability)Saturday, August 16 Falcons at Houston Texans, NRG Stadium, 8 p.m. ET – CW69
Sunday, August 17 Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Monday, August 18 Practice 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (closed to the public)
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