Julio Jones is still hoping for a new contract before the Atlanta Falcons take the field against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, and the star wide receiver appeared to be bothered by something at practice on Thursday.
D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution observed what he considered “bizarre” behavior from Jones during the portion of practice that was open to the media. The reporter shared a couple of clips that showed Jones not taking full reps during drills and wearing two different shoes.
#Fakcons WR Julio Jones not taking full reps. pic.twitter.com/U1E42n9NGW
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) September 5, 2019
That was a bizarre #Falcons open media session. Julio Jones, wearing two different shoes, was battling through something physical or emotional. Very strange.
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) September 5, 2019
It’s unclear what — if anything — was bothering Jones, but he did battle a foot injury throughout the offseason. Hopefully the different shoes and seeming lack of effort did not have to do with that.
Jones is set to make $9.4 million this season and the Falcons have acknowledged that he wants a new contract, though it does not sound like the situation has been a distraction for the team. While Atlanta may be hesitant to reset the receiver market with a 30-year-old player, Jones had 113 catches for 1,677 yards last year and has surpassed 1,400 yards receiving in each of the last five seasons. His importance to the offense cannot be overstated.
Jones did not commit to playing in Week 1 during his talks with reporters after practice.
