Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones will have surgery on his fractured foot this weekend, his agents, Pat Dye Jr. and Jimmy Sexton, said Wednesday.
The surgery might not allow Jones to work out before the NFL Draft in late April, but the likely first-round pick is believed to be in line for a complete recovery after 6 to 8 weeks.
Dr. Bob Anderson, a noted orthopedic surgeon, will perform the operation Saturday in Charlotte, N.C.
Jones' fracture was discovered at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last weekend, but he participated in all drills and was one of the event's outstanding performers. His injury is similar to that suffered by current San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree at the 2009 combine.
NFL Network analyst Charley Casserly first reported Monday that Jones will have a screw inserted in the foot.
Jones was impressive during the gauntlet drills Sunday, showing fluidity, good hands and body control while maintaining focus. And while his broad jump was best among receivers (11 feet, 3 inches -- 2 inches below the combine’s best since 2000), what caught notice was Jones posting the third-fastest 40-yard dash time at 4.39 seconds. Impressive, given that Jones measured in at 6-foot-2 3/4 and 220 pounds.
Jones' Alabama teammate, quarterback Greg McElroy, will not have a cast removed from his broken right hand until next week -- roughly one week later than initially thought -- according to his agent, Eric Metz.
McElroy, who fractured his hand during the Senior Bowl in late January, won't be able to participate in Alabama's pro day Wednesday and is hoping to schedule a separate workout in early April. McElroy participated in field drills at the combine, but he wasn't able to throw.