Mike Smith updates status of Asante Samuel, Julio Jones

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith spoke with the media on Monday, one day after the Falcons beat the Arizona Cardinals, 23-19. Two major contributors to the team, wide receiver Julio Jones and cornerback Asante Samuel, were injured in the game and did not return to action afterwards, and Smith gave a not-so-detailed update on their status:

"I think the injury situation is going to be better than it was last week. We had some guys that were banged up. We have some guys that we are anticipating that did not play in the ballgame last week that were scratched because of injuries will be back participating with us this week. It’ll be good to get some of those guys back."

Jones came into the game hobbled by a right ankle injury, and he aggravated that ankle in the third quarter. Samuel injured his right shoulder in the second quarter when he tried to put a hit on Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Through ten games, Jones has 47 receptions for 736 yards and five touchdowns, and has become a major factor in Atlanta's potent passing attack along with Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. Samuel has 29 tackles and two interceptions on the year.

The Falcons travel down to Tampa on Sunday to take on the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Neither Jones nor Samuel has been ruled out for that game yet.