Atlanta's season-opening game against Philadelphia on Thursday night will mark the first NFL action for Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones since a fourth-down pass slipped through his hands in the end zone with 58 seconds left in an NFL playoff contest against the Eagles.
After playing last season with ankle, back and hip injuries at various times, Jones didn't take the field during Atlanta's four preseason games. Neither did the Falcons' top running back, Devonta Freeman, who had two concussions last season. Both players participated in every training-camp and preseason practice, though.
Jones said the last time he felt this good entering Week 1 of an NFL season was 2015, when the former Alabama standout led the NFL with 136 receptions and 1,871 receiving yards -- the latter figure the second-most recorded in one season in league history.