Around the NFL

Mike Smith: Julio Jones (hip) will play vs. Saints

Published: Dec 15, 2014 at 07:12 AM

In a game that could finally give us some clarity in football's worst division, the Atlanta Falcons plan to have their best playmaker on the field.

Wideout Julio Jones, who sat this week against the Steelers after injuring his hip against Green Bay back on Dec. 8, will be available for Sunday's matchup against the Saints.

"We're confident that he'll be ready to go this week," Mike Smith told reporters in Atlanta on Monday, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Smith added that Jones was missed in the red zone during Sunday's loss, the team's ninth.

We would say that the Falcons are desperate here, but desperation should have kicked in for one of these teams months ago. Still, Jones has been a bright spot amid an otherwise ho-hum season and should match up well against the Saints' 30th-ranked defense (Atlanta, by the way, is No. 32).

If Jones' last game against Green Bay -- 11 receptions for 259 yards -- is any indication of the groove he's in, Atlanta could have a legitimate chance of putting away New Orleans for good. The Falcons already hold the tiebreaker over the Saints regardless of Sunday's outcome, after all.

The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps every Sunday game from Week 15 and discusses all the playoff implications. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content

news

Injury roundup: Cowboys LB Micah Parsons (illness) expected to play vs. Buccaneers

Here are the other injuries we are keeping an eye on ahead of Sunday's Week 16 games.

news

Ravens clinch third straight playoff berth, stop Steelers from sewing up division

The Baltimore Ravens earned a long overdue rivalry win against the Pittsburgh Steelers and clinched a postseason spot in the process on Saturday.

news

Texans' Tank Dell suffered 'significant' knee injury in loss to Chiefs; WR to remain in hospital overnight

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell suffered a "significant" knee injury in Saturday's 27-19 loss to the Chiefs, and it will require him to remain in a Kansas City-area hospital overnight for further evaluation, head coach DeMeco Ryans announced.

news

Texans-Chiefs, Steelers-Ravens in Saturday doubleheader: What We Learned from wins by Kansas City, Baltimore

The Kansas City Chiefs toppled the Houston Texans, 27-19, followed by the Baltimore Ravens clinching a playoff berth by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-17 on Saturday.

news

NFL news roundup: Chiefs DL Chris Jones to have MRI on strained calf; Ravens RB Justice Hill (concussion) ruled out vs. Steelers

NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown.

news

Week 16 Saturday inactives: Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs; Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

The official inactives for Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs, and Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens.

news

Rams TE Tyler Higbee ready for return from torn ACL: 'These guys may have to throw some water on me'

Eleven months ago, Rams tight end Tyler Higbee tore his ACL in a losing effort against the Lions on Super Wild Card Weekend. On Sunday, he will take on the New York Jets, fully recovered from his injury with Los Angeles pushing for another postseason trip.

news

Tank Dell still trying to become 'big factor' for Texans during down year: 'I know what I'm capable of'

Texans wide receiver Tank Dell hasn't had the second season he hoped for, but he's intent to keep developing his role and become a factor as Houston heads for the playoffs.

news

Myles Garrett wants to end career with Browns but isn't 'trying to rebuild'

While defensive end Myles Garrett wants to be a part of the Browns, he has no desire to partake in a rebuild, and he hopes Cleveland can illustrate a plan to him during the offseason that will put the team on the right track sooner rather than later.

news

Marquise Brown (shoulder) activated off injured reserve, to make Chiefs debut vs. Texans

The Chiefs have activated WR Marquise Brown (shoulder) off injured reserve ahead of Saturday's Week 16 game. Brown, who's missed the first 14 games of the season with a shoulder injury, will make his Chiefs debut against Houston.

news

Ravens waive WR Diontae Johnson less than two months after trade from Panthers

Diontae Johnson's peculiar stint with the Ravens proved to be short-lived. Baltimore waived the veteran receiver Friday. The Ravens activated WR Anthony Miller and DB Desmond King in corresponding moves.

news

Eagles WR A.J. Brown says he's 'playing' vs. Commanders despite knee injury

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown popped up on the injury report this week but he won't miss Sunday's showdown with the Washington Commanders.