Julio Jones Injury: Falcons WR could miss remainder of season
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a one handed catch behind New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Jets defeated the Falcons 30-28. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Falcons superstar WR Julio Jones had a big game in last night’s losing effort, and Jones had a stupid good one-handed catch in the fourth quarter, but the big story is the foot injury he suffered. Jones was seen limping after the game, and he needed X-rays done on his foot, and it seems to be different from the knee injury that has hobbled him so far this season. Fellow star wide receiver Roddy White has also been hobbled, and he suffered a setback on his ankle prior to Monday’s game, which helped lead to another quiet game. He’ll have to get back on track soon on the health front, because it sounds like Julio Jones could be out for a long time.
In a report that has absolutely blindsided us, FOX Sports’s Jay Glazer has another huge scoop for us. Per Glazer, Julio Jones will “likely” miss the rest of the 2013 season with a foot injury that seemed serious but not nearly that serious, and Glazer reports that Jones will need a second opinion tomorrow to decide how long he will be out. The second opinion could be the only thing that saves Jones from missing the rest of the year, and this is absolutely crushing and awful news.
The impact that Julio Jones has on the Atlanta Falcons cannot be understated, and he has been the best wide receiver in the league this season with an insane 41 receptions for 580 yards and two touchdowns. Others will have to step up in Jones’s place, and Roddy White is going to see an awful lot of coverage headed this way with Jones out. Even if he doesn’t miss the entire season, the Falcons probably won’t even make the playoffs without him for what should be a lengthy stay on the shelf. The short-term IR seems like the most likely place for Jones right now, but we’ll need to hear all the details following tomorrow’s second opinion. This is heart-breaking news for an Atlanta Falcons team and fan base that really shouldn’t hear more of it. It’s been a rough season for the Falcons, especially on the injury front. Steven Jackson, Sean Weatherspoon, and Kroy Biermann have all suffered significant injuries this year as well.
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