Julio Jones Injury Forces Star Rookie Out Of Two Games

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Falcons Vs. Colts: Julio Jones Returns To Practice

The Atlanta Falcons received a bit of good news coming off their bye week, as rookie WR Julio Jones returned to practice Monday after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury:

AJCFalcons D. Orlando Ledbetter 

#Falcons wr Julio Jones and cb Christopher Owens returned to practice today. No Sam Baker. McClure & Gonzalez day off.

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Jones, whom the Falcons acquired in a draft day trade, has had a solid, if not spectacular, rookie season so far, with 25 receptions for 358 yards. 

While expectations were sky-high for the rookie from Alabama, wide receivers have one of the most difficult transitions to make to the pro game out of college. 

Jones has yet to catch a touchdown in his NFL career, but Atlanta's game this week against the hapless Indianapolis Colts, who gave up 62 points to the New Orleans Saints earlier this season, may be a great opportunity for him if he's fully healthy.

For the latest news and analysis on the Falcons, head on over to the Falcoholic.

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Falcons Vs. Lions Injury Updates: Julio Jones Doubtful, Jahvid Best Out

Slightly good news for the Atlanta Falcons: star wide receiver Julio Jones is merely doubtful for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions despite missing three days of practice this week. Nickel back Christopher Owens is the only Falcons player ruled out, while defensive end John Abraham, tackle Sam Baker, center Todd McClure and guard Garrett Reynolds are all questionable, though Mike Smith has already said he expects McClure to play.

For the Lions, running back Jahvid Best is officially out, and safety Vincent Fuller and receiver Rashied Davis are doubtful. Cornerback Aaron Berry and defensive end Willie Young are questionable.

The complete injury report:

ATLANTA FALCONS

PLAYER	10/19/11	10/20/11	10/21/11
DE John Abraham (groin)	DNP	LP	LP-Q
DT Jonathan Babineaux (knee)	FP	FP	FP-P
T Sam Baker (back)	DNP	DNP	LP-Q
TE Tony Gonzalez (elbow)	FP	FP	FP-P
WR Julio Jones (hamstring)	DNP	DNP	DNP-D
C Todd McClure (knee)	DNP	LP	LP-Q
CB Chris Owens (concussion)	DNP	DNP	DNP-O
G Garrett Reynolds (ankle)	DNP	LP	LP-Q
S James Sanders (hamstring)	LP	LP	FP-P
WR Roddy White (knee)	FP	FP	FP-P

DETROIT LIONS

PLAYER	10/19/11	10/20/11	10/21/11
CB Eric Wright (illness)			DNP-P
DE Willie Young (calf)			LP-Q
CB Aaron Berry (groin)	DNP	LP	LP-Q
RB Jahvid Best (concussion)	DNP	DNP	DNP-O
WR Rashied Davis (foot)	DNP	DNP	DNP-D
LB Justin Durant (concussion)	DNP	LP	LP-P
S Vincent Fuller (elbow)	DNP	LP	LP-D
CB Chris Houston (back)	DNP	LP	LP-P
TE Tony Scheffler (concussion)	DNP	LP	LP-P
S Amari Spievey (not injury related)	DNP
DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (not injury related)	DNP
T Gosder Cherilus (knee)	LP	LP	LP-P
LB Doug Hogue (hamstring)	FP	FP	FP-P
RB Jerome Harrison (illness)		DNP

For more on this game visit Falcons blog The Falcoholic and Lions blog Pride Of Detroit, plus SB Nation Detroit.

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Falcons Waiting For Update On Julio Jones' Injury

In his regular Monday press conference, Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith said the team has no new information on the hamstring injury that kept rookie WR Julio Jones out of the team's 31-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Smith said the team will "wait and see" on the condition of the injury, with an official update about Jones' status for their upcoming game against the Detroit Lions likely coming on Wednesday.

In Jones' absence, the Falcons reverted to a more ground-oriented attack, with Michael Turner getting 27 carries to only 22 pass attempts for Matt Ryan. Harry Douglas, a third-year WR who has played sporadically in his time in Atlanta, had his most productive game of the season, with 2 receptions for 57 yards.

But while the Falcons were able to prosper offensively against a struggling 1-5 Carolina team, they will need all their firepower to combat Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson and the 5-1 Detroit Lions on Sunday.

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Falcons Vs. Panthers: Julio Jones Injury Means Harry Douglas Starting

With Julio Jones ruled out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against Carolina with a hamstring injury means that the Atlanta Falcons will have to shuffle around their depth chart at wide receiver. Harry Douglas will move into the Falcons starting lineup and reserve wideout Kerry Meier also figures to see extended playing time. 

Douglas has just 11 catches for 80 yards on the season as the Falcons' No. 3 wide receiver. Douglas' speed is his weapon and he could benefit from a few more looks from quarterback Matt Ryan this Sunday. 

Kerry Meier has been active in four of the Falcons' five games but has yet to catch a pass. He figures to get extended minutes on Sunday with Eric Weems also joining in the rotation. 

"We feel very good about Kerry Meier and his athletic ability," Smith said. "We haven't done a lot of four-wide sets so we've not had an opportunity to get him many snaps. He'll get his opportunity this week."

For more on Julio Jones and the Atlanta Falcons, be sure to check out The Falcoholic.

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Julio Jones Injury: Condition Will Be Updated Wednesday

Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith had little to say about the team's suddenly lengthy injury list at his Monday conference, saying only that the hamstring condition of wide receiver Julio Jones and other various other team wounds will be updated Wednesday.

One piece of good news: Smith said starting center Todd McClure will return Sunday.

Safety William Moore, defensive end John Abraham, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, nickel back Christopher Owens and others all suffered some sort of damage that caused them to miss portions of Sunday night's game against the Green Bay Packers. While those are all major setbacks, Jones' injury is of the most immediate concern to the average Falcons fan. 

He's the team's leading receiver and one of the few things that's gone right about the offense. Not to mention taking on the Carolina Panthers or Detroit Lions without him would feel like charging into battle with exactly the same team that lost in the 2010 playoffs, as he was Atlanta's primary offseason pickup.

For more on this game, visit Atlanta Falcons blog The Falcoholic and Green Bay Packers blog Acme Packing Company, plus SB Nation's NFL news hub.

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Julio Jones Injury: Atlanta Receiver Leaves Game With Hamstring

The Atlanta Falcons suffered what could be a big loss during a challenging second half as wide receiver Julio Jones was escorted to the locker room with what's being called a left hamstring injury. As Jones has been the team's leading receiver this year, this could be a huge setback for Atlanta.

Jones got tangled up while trying to run down a bomb early in the fourth quarter as the Falcons trailed, 22-14.

Jones has been targeted frequently, but hasn't been able to come up with very many. He had one nice catch on a quick route for a first down and took an end-around for 16 yards in the first quarter. It'll be on Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez to step up.

For more on this game, visit Atlanta Falcons blog The Falcoholic and Green Bay Packers blog Acme Packing Company, plus SB Nation's NFL news hub.