FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones sat out practice again Thursday with a toe sprain, and Falcons coach Dan Quinn hinted a Friday workout could determine Jones' status for Sunday’s matchup with San Francisco.
Jones, who missed last week’s 42-14 win against the Rams, went through Thursday’s walk-through. He missed practice all last week despite participating in the walk-throughs.
Quinn expanded on what the next step in Jones' progression would be.
"Really, just being able to explode pain-free," Quinn said. "When that parts comes. We’ll definitely have him run some today. ... And then tomorrow, really get up and test it and push it. So that will be the next phase. He did well in the first part today, with a little bounce to him going through the walk-through. Our walk-through is more jogging, but tomorrow we’ll push him a little further."
Quinn initially called Jones' injury "turf toe" then clarified this week that he didn’t have the correct medical terminology. Calling it a sprain rather than turf toe would imply the injury is not as serious. Quinn insists it won’t be a long-term issue for Jones.
If Jones is unable to play Sunday, the Falcons anticipate having Mohamed Sanu back in the lineup after missing last week with a groin strain. Taylor Gabriel was the primary receiver last week with both Jones and Sanu out of the lineup.
Quinn said the 8-5 Falcons won’t just rest Jones because the opponent is the 1-12 49ers.
In other injury news, Quinn said starting cornerback Jalen Collins does not need surgery after suffering a right knee sprain last week. Collins was held out of practice again Thursday, putting C.J. Goodwin and perhaps Deji Olatoye on track to see significant action at cornerback against the 49ers.
Also sitting out practice Thursday were defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn (knee), safety Robenson Therezie (ankle), safety Kemal Ishmael (shoulder), and wide receiver Nick Williams (concussion).
