Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones sets record straight on lost earring

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones denied he hired a dive team after losing a $100,000 earring while tumbling off a Jet Ski.

Jones cleared up the story from an initial television report earlier this week.

"I didn't hire anyone like a dive team," Jones told reporters Saturday following the third day of training camp. "I did not do that. It was insured. I was fine. I didn't get thrown off anything. I jumped off the Jet Ski. So, let's clear it up."

Jones emerged from a ride on the motor-propelled personal watercraft on Lake Lanier in Georgia and noticed one of his massive diamond-stud earrings dislodged when he crashed into the water. He otherwise was unharmed during the joy ride.

Jones' jeweler told WXIA-TV in Atlanta the gem was worth between $100,000 and $150,000. The 28-year-old All-Pro has earned $51.71 million since entering the NFL as the sixth overall pick in 2011. His 2017 base salary is $11.5 million. That's about $179,687.50 for every quarter of football over 16 regular-season games.

One of the divers at the scene, Richard Pickering, told WXIA-TV that the earring is "down in the crevasses and nooks and crannies. It's impossible -- absolutely impossible."

Jones told the television station that, "as long as I'm good, it's materialistic stuff. You can always get that kind of stuff back."

Jones underwent surgery on his left foot in March. He has been limited at the start of training camp and has yet to participate in full-team drills.

"My foot's great," Jones said Saturday. "We're just being smart. I still get my conditioning in. I run routes. I do things. I'm in and out of the huddle. I'm in the scheme. ... I'll probably do a little more tomorrow."

Jones caught 83 passes for 1,409 yards and six touchdowns in the 2016 regular season despite missing two games because of the injury.

In the postseason, he had 19 receptions for 334 yards and three scores, including four receptions for 87 yards in the 34-28 overtime loss to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl LI.