Falcons coach Dan Quinn confirmed Friday that the reins will be off of star wide receiver Julio Jones this week against the Saints after a toe injury hindered him the last three weeks.
"He looked good over the last couple of days, so I'm not going to monitor him," Quinn told reporters (via ESPN). "If it gets sore, then we'll take him out. He looked good in practice today. He looked strong. He looked explosive."
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Jones played a season-low 39 snaps last week in a 33-16 win against the Panthers in his return to the lineup after a two-game absence. Now healthy, Jones will be ready to wreak havoc on the opposition, but Atlanta may have found something with him out of the lineup.
The Falcons have won their last three games by at least 17 points each, and they won the two in which Jones didn't suit up by 28 points apiece. Guys like Taylor Gabriel, who is out this weekend, and Mohamed Sanu stepped up at wide receiver. Atlanta's revolving door at tight end also started to pay off.
Atlanta also has one of the most dynamic running-back duos in the league with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman offering pace and power as runners and receivers.
The last three games represented the Falcons' biggest margins of victory of the season. They moved the ball with ease and looked clear of the midseason slump that offered opportunities for the rest of the NFC South.
Now, that's not to say Jones isn't a welcome addition back to the squad. It's just interesting that the offense clicked without him.
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During the postseason, where Matt Ryan has struggled, he will likely rely on Jones' physicality and size in the red zone and down the middle of the field. However, the rest of the offense proved it can step up when it needs to.
The Falcons are an intriguing team in a wide-open NFC.