The classic wide receiver Julio Jones, poised for a revival with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, missed 14 games past 2 seasons due to hamstring injury
Julio Jones : Out | Fantasy | week 2 | Injury | stats
Quintorris Lopez “Julio” Jones Jr. (born February 8, 1989) is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL).
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | February 8, 1989 Foley, Alabama |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Foley (Foley, Alabama) |
| College: | Alabama (2008–2010) |
| NFL Draft: | 2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6 |
He played college football at Alabama, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round (6th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He is regarded as one of the best receivers of the 2010s.
After a productive rookie season, Jones recorded 1,198 receiving yards and ten touchdowns in 2012 and was named to his first Pro Bowl.
After an injury-plagued 2013 season where he only played five games, Jones led the Falcons in receiving yards in 2014, and made his second Pro Bowl, beginning to develop a deep chemistry with team quarterback Matt Ryan.
Jones broke out the next season, leading the league in receiving yards and co-leading in receptions, both of his statistics ranking top five all-time in a season.
In 2016, Jones again had a productive year, garnering another All-Pro selection, and helped to lead the Falcons to Super Bowl LI.
Over the next three seasons, Jones amassed 4,515 yards, the most by any player during that span, including leading the league again in yards in 2018.
Out
On Tampa Bay’s sideline, receiver Julio Jones, who was questionable with a knee injury, is inactive, along with left tackle Donovan Smith (elbow), tight end Kyle Rudolph and running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
Wideout Chris Godwin (hamstring) had already been ruled out. Receivers Mike Evans (calf) and Russell Gage (hamstring) and running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring) are all active despite being listed as questionable.
Kamara’s absence delivers a significant blow to the Saints offense, but his inactive status isn’t all that surprising.
The five-time Pro Bowler was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice with a ribs injury and did not participate in Thursday or Friday’s sessions. During Kamara’s six-year career, the Saints are 3-5 without him and went 0-4 in 2021 when he was inactive.
Winston will need to overcome the absence of Kamara and a back injury that limited him this past week.
Though he was questionable coming into Sunday with a back injury, Winston practiced in a limited capacity all week so his playing status isn’t all that surprising.
His 2021 season ended after five games due to a torn ACL.
Julio Jones Fantasy
Jones was a game-time call with his knee injury, and reportedly didn’t look good in warmups.
In an already difficult matchup for Tom Brady and the Bucs offense, the team will now be down two of its star receivers in Jones and Chris Godwin.
Expect Russell Gage, who is active, to be the primary beneficiary of Jones’s absence, and for Mike Evans to continue to be the main option in the passing game.
Jones caught 3-of-5 for 69 yards in the season opener, adding 17 more yards through two rushing attempts.
He didn’t find the end zone, but it was a good showing for the 33-year-old in his first outing with the Bucs.
Unfortunately, Jones missed practice on Wednesday with a knee issue, along with Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Russell Gage (hamstring).
Godwin is already set to miss the Week 2 game, so the offense could really benefit from Jones being able to take the field. His numbers should increase if he plays while Godwin is sidelined.
Julio Jones week 2
Just like with the other injured Tampa Bay receivers, Jones’ injury status will be one to keep an eye on heading into Week 2.
If he’s able to play in New Orleans especially with Godwin out, he could be worth sticking in your starting lineup as his target share should increase.
Russell Gage is also in danger of missing the game with a hamstring injury of his own, so keep an eye on the injury report coming out of Tampa Bay.
Jones is questionable along with most of the Bucs’ wide receiving core for Sunday vs. the Saints. Keep an eye on the injury report on Sunday morning.
Injury
Jones was able to log in practice on Friday as he continues to nurse a knee injury, and his official playing status came down to a pregame warmup to test his availability ahead of Sunday’s game.
Alongside Jones on the depth chart are Russell Gage and Breshad Perriman, who add themselves to a list of receivers that have caught the injury bug as well.
Scotty Miller also presents an intriguing option further down the depth chart, with Miller bringing three seasons’ worth of experience in Tampa Bay’s system.
The Buccaneers had already ruled out Chris Godwin, which sets them back another body. Mike Evans is also banged up, so Tom Brady is losing passing options left and right.
Gage should be upgraded to the WR2 for the team and gets an increased upside for fantasy football matchups.
Perriman and Miller would be other passing options, but they shouldn’t be considered fantasy relevant.
Stats
On January 7, 2011, Jones decided to forego his senior season. Instead, he chose to declare eligibility for the NFL Draft with teammates Mark Ingram, Greg McElroy, and Marcell Dareus.
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On June 6, 2021, the Falcons traded Jones along with a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Tennessee Titans for their second-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and their fourth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jones elected to wear jersey No. 2 with the Titans due to jersey No. 11 being taken by fellow receiver A. J. Brown.
On September 18, 2021, Jones was fined $10,815 for getting into a scuffle with defensive back Byron Murphy during the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, in which the Titans lost 38–13.
The following week against the Seattle Seahawks, Jones had his only game of the season with over 100-yards receiving, with six receptions for 128-yards, all recorded in the first half in the 33–30 victory in overtime In the game, Jones had a reception of 51-yards and had a controversial touchdown that was called back after the officials ruled that his right foot didn’t land fully in bounds while making the catch.
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