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Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones adamant he will play vs. New Orleans Saints

By The Sports Xchange
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11). UPI/David Tulis
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11). UPI/David Tulis | License Photo

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is listed as questionable for Monday night's game against the New Orleans Saints but returned to practice in a limited capacity Saturday while recovering from a calf injury.

Jones, who was held out of practice Thursday and Friday, said he will be ready to play in New Orleans.

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"Yes, yes I'll play Monday night," Jones told reporters Saturday. "I wouldn't chance it if I didn't (feel right), if I felt like I was going to overcompensate and something else was going to get tore up or it was going to get worse or anything like that. It's just warming that muscle up, warming up everything, making sure everything is firing properly."

Jones appeared to have his explosion running across the red zone and catching passes near the start of practice, according to ESPN.com. Jones was spotted bouncing up and down to make sure his calf was fine.

Jones caught five passes for 106 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' 35-28 win over the Oakland Raiders last Sunday. In the game, he was injured after colliding with two Raiders defenders.

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Jones leads the team with 172 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions after two games. He has nine catches, second to tight end Jacob Tamme (11).

Falcons coach Dan Quinn previously said he expected Jones to play barring any last-minute setback.

Quinn confirmed that first-round rookie safety Keanu Neal will get his first action of the regular season. Neal underwent knee surgery after Atlanta's third preseason game and has been limited all week.

"He had an excellent week, he's fully cleared," Quinn said of Neal. "He's another one who I was pleased with the work he put in the rehab. And now that's carried over onto the field. We are expecting him to get his first action, and we know he's excited."

Rookie De'Vondre Campbell, a starting inside linebacker, was ruled out for the second consecutive game with a left ankle sprain. Linebacker Paul Worrilow also is out after undergoing groin surgery.

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