Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons back in 2011, wide receiver Julio Jones has worked his way up to becoming arguably one-of-the top three players at his position in the NFL. His season was ended short last year due to a foot injury sustained in a game against the New York Jets.
Jones was off to a monster year in 2013. Five games into the season (before he was injured) he had caught 41 passes and had already posted 580 receiving yards.
"He had 41 catches, on pace to have one of the all-time receiver years in the history of the NFL," Falcons head coach Mike Smith said Thursday at the NFL Combine. "I saw both of them on Monday in the training room. They're working hard."
Still recovering from a broken foot, Jones', and the rest of the coaching staff would agree that his focal point this offseason is getting completely healthy before training camp starts.
"Our focus is going to be not to get them back as quickly as we can," said Smith. "Our focus is to make sure they're going to be ready to go in September. That will be our No. 1 goal."
Mike Smith also says that Julio Jones is 'on his way' to full recovery.
"He's well on his way," Smith said of Jones following Monday's Senior Bowl practices. "He's met all the marks that they've set for him in terms of the timetable. So we're pleased with what he's done up to this point. He's been spending a lot of time back in Atlanta and in Flowery Branch through the middle parts of the week with our athletic performance department. And he is on schedule to be back in the spring."
There's no doubt that the former Alabama standout will go back to being one of the top receivers (if not the top) in the NFL this upcoming season.
Jones was off to a monster year in 2013. Five games into the season (before he was injured) he had caught 41 passes and had already posted 580 receiving yards.
"He had 41 catches, on pace to have one of the all-time receiver years in the history of the NFL," Falcons head coach Mike Smith said Thursday at the NFL Combine. "I saw both of them on Monday in the training room. They're working hard."
Still recovering from a broken foot, Jones', and the rest of the coaching staff would agree that his focal point this offseason is getting completely healthy before training camp starts.
"Our focus is going to be not to get them back as quickly as we can," said Smith. "Our focus is to make sure they're going to be ready to go in September. That will be our No. 1 goal."
Mike Smith also says that Julio Jones is 'on his way' to full recovery.
"He's well on his way," Smith said of Jones following Monday's Senior Bowl practices. "He's met all the marks that they've set for him in terms of the timetable. So we're pleased with what he's done up to this point. He's been spending a lot of time back in Atlanta and in Flowery Branch through the middle parts of the week with our athletic performance department. And he is on schedule to be back in the spring."
There's no doubt that the former Alabama standout will go back to being one of the top receivers (if not the top) in the NFL this upcoming season.