The
Atlanta Falcons believe star receiver Julio Jones is out for
the season with a foot injury – the latest and most significant blow to one of the NFL's most disappointing teams.
The team said Tuesday that Jones will have a second opinion Wednesday, but it looks like his third season is done after five games.
"The results are not encouraging, but we will wait to see what the second opinion comes back as," coach Mike Smith said. "It would be premature at this time (to say he's out for the season). He's going over to Charlotte for a second opinion tomorrow."
Smith refused to "get into what foot it is and the specifics of the injury." He added, "But the first diagnosis was not encouraging."
Jones had a broken foot at the NFL scouting combine but still worked out as a draft hopeful.
THE Q: Was trade for Jones a mistake?
THE GRAB: Julio's last shining moment of 2013
Jones, 24, was among the NFL's leaders this season with 41 catches for 580 yards and two touchdowns, including eight catches for 99 yards in Monday night's loss to the New York Jets. One of those catches was a spectacular lunging, one-handed grab while Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie was draped on him.
It's just more bad news for the Falcons, who are 1-4 and already trailing the unbeaten New Orleans Saints by four games in the NFC South division. Atlanta won the division last season.
"Very disappointed," Falcons owner Arthur Blank told USA TODAY Sports at the owners' fall meetings in Washington. "You know, when it rains, it pours. In this case, we're having a monsoon right now in Atlanta.
"We're disappointed. He's a great player, a great human being. But you know the slogan and the philosophy in the NFL is 'Next man, up.' "The injury bug is real. We've had our share this year."
Blank added: "It'll be tough to replace (Jones). But we have a lot of talent. We have a great quarterback. We'll get there."
Smith said the Falcons, on a bye week, will look at "all options" for replacing Jones. Wide receivers who might be available by trade include Kenny Britt of the Tennessee Titans and Hakeem Nicks of the New York Giants. Britt was benched earlier this season, and Nicks is in a contract year with disappointing numbers on a 0-5 team.
"We have guys who are on our roster and they'll be asked to step up," Smith said. "If we have to make a roster move, we will look at all options that are available there. There are wide receivers who have been working with us on the practice squad. They know our offense."
Fifth-year receiver Harry Douglas has 16 catches for 219 yards this season for the Falcons. Second-year Drew Davis has only four career catches, none this season. Practice squad members Darius Johnson and James Rodgers have never caught an NFL pass.
The offense already is dealing with nagging injuries to running back Steven Jackson and wide receiver Roddy White, who suffered a hamstring injury Monday night.
"I spoke with (Roddy) this morning," Smith said. "We have to see how that turns around in the next few days."
the season with a foot injury – the latest and most significant blow to one of the NFL's most disappointing teams.
The team said Tuesday that Jones will have a second opinion Wednesday, but it looks like his third season is done after five games.
"The results are not encouraging, but we will wait to see what the second opinion comes back as," coach Mike Smith said. "It would be premature at this time (to say he's out for the season). He's going over to Charlotte for a second opinion tomorrow."
Smith refused to "get into what foot it is and the specifics of the injury." He added, "But the first diagnosis was not encouraging."
Jones had a broken foot at the NFL scouting combine but still worked out as a draft hopeful.
THE Q: Was trade for Jones a mistake?
THE GRAB: Julio's last shining moment of 2013
Jones, 24, was among the NFL's leaders this season with 41 catches for 580 yards and two touchdowns, including eight catches for 99 yards in Monday night's loss to the New York Jets. One of those catches was a spectacular lunging, one-handed grab while Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie was draped on him.
It's just more bad news for the Falcons, who are 1-4 and already trailing the unbeaten New Orleans Saints by four games in the NFC South division. Atlanta won the division last season.
"Very disappointed," Falcons owner Arthur Blank told USA TODAY Sports at the owners' fall meetings in Washington. "You know, when it rains, it pours. In this case, we're having a monsoon right now in Atlanta.
"We're disappointed. He's a great player, a great human being. But you know the slogan and the philosophy in the NFL is 'Next man, up.' "The injury bug is real. We've had our share this year."
Blank added: "It'll be tough to replace (Jones). But we have a lot of talent. We have a great quarterback. We'll get there."
Smith said the Falcons, on a bye week, will look at "all options" for replacing Jones. Wide receivers who might be available by trade include Kenny Britt of the Tennessee Titans and Hakeem Nicks of the New York Giants. Britt was benched earlier this season, and Nicks is in a contract year with disappointing numbers on a 0-5 team.
"We have guys who are on our roster and they'll be asked to step up," Smith said. "If we have to make a roster move, we will look at all options that are available there. There are wide receivers who have been working with us on the practice squad. They know our offense."
Fifth-year receiver Harry Douglas has 16 catches for 219 yards this season for the Falcons. Second-year Drew Davis has only four career catches, none this season. Practice squad members Darius Johnson and James Rodgers have never caught an NFL pass.
The offense already is dealing with nagging injuries to running back Steven Jackson and wide receiver Roddy White, who suffered a hamstring injury Monday night.
"I spoke with (Roddy) this morning," Smith said. "We have to see how that turns around in the next few days."
