FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, coming off an ankle injury, is fully "ready to go" in Sunday's season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Dan Quinn said Friday.
Jones injured an ankle in the third preseason game. He was limited at the start of this week's practice but returned to full participation Thursday.
"Really, he was feeling good yesterday and today,'' Quinn said after Friday's practice. "It was just an important part to stay true to the process of getting back where he's healthy and feeling right, make sure that he got the right stuff that he needs for the plays to make that connection between him and Matt [Ryan] feel right. He had a good week, and he's ready to go.''
Jones had the NFL's second-highest total for receiving yards in a season last year with 1,871 yards on 136 catches (eight touchdowns). He enters Sunday's game with three touchdown receptions in the past two home matchups against the Buccaneers.
The Falcons, as a whole, are relatively healthy entering the season opener. Rookie first-round draft pick Keanu Neal, the strong safety from Florida, won't play after having arthroscopic knee surgery. Kemal Ishmael will replace Neal in the starting lineup.
Running back Terron Ward (ankle) and safety Dashon Goldson (hamstring) are questionable.
