Julio Jones

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wide Receiver #11
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wide Receiver #11
Julio Jones

Julio Jones News

Logs full practice Thursday

Jones (knee) practiced fully Thursday.

Analysis: Jones has dealt with knee issues for most the campaign and was inactive Week 18, marking his seventh absence overall. However, now that he's managed to log every practice rep Thursday, he's seemingly in the clear for Monday's matchup with the Cowboys. Mike Evans (illness) also was a full participant to begin prep for the wild-card round, so Jones will be the Buccaneers' third wide receiver, at best, behind Evans and Chris Godwin.

Jan 12, 2023 1:36 PM EST


Not playing Week 18

Jones (knee/illness) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Analysis: Regardless of what happens Week 18, the Buccaneers are locked in as the NFC's No. 4 seed in the playoffs, so it's not especially surprising that Tampa Bay won't take any chances with Jones in what amounts to a mostly meaningless regular-season finale. Jones, who managed just one limited practice this week due to the knee injury and illness, should be ready to go for the wild-card round of the postseason, though he may find himself fourth in the pecking order at receiver behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage.

Jan 8, 2023 8:42 AM EST



Questionable for Week 18

Jones (knee) returned to a limited practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Analysis: Jones played less than 30 percent of offensive snaps the past two weeks as the No. 4 receiver, but a larger role isn't entirely out of the question if he's able to play, as the Bucs are locked into the NFC's fourth seed for the postseason and may rest starters. Of course, Jones may be one of the guys held out ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, especially now that he's dealing with an illness in addition to the lingering PCL injury in his knee. He does seem likely to be ready for the wild-card round, if nothing else.

Jan 6, 2023 11:01 AM EST


Missing from another practice

Jones (knee/illness) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis: Jones has thus opened Week 18 prep with two straight absences from practice, so he'll likely need to get back on the field in some capacity Friday to put himself in position to play Sunday against the Falcons. With the Buccaneers having already secured the NFC's No. 4 seed with no possibility of moving up or down in the standings regardless of how Week 18 transpires, veterans like Jones may hold only limited roles if active Sunday with the likelihood that head coach Todd Bowles prioritizes the health of key players heading into the playoffs above all else.

Jan 5, 2023 8:52 AM EST


Not at practice

Jones (knee/illness) didn't practice Wednesday.

Analysis: Jones was merely Tampa's No. 4 receiver the past two weeks, falling behind Russell Gage on the depth chart, and the 33-year-old doesn't figure to play many snaps (if any) in a Week 18 game with no playoff implications at Atlanta. It is possible Jones returns to the No. 3 WR role for the playoffs if his balky knee improves, though Gage may have locked it down with 16 catches for 157 yards and two TDs over the past three games (including a contest Jones missed Week 15).

Jan 4, 2023 2:05 PM EST



Catches one pass in win

Jones caught one of two targets for 10 yards and carried the ball once for 13 yards in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: In his second game back from a knee injury that sidelined him in Week 15, Jones had another quiet day with just two total touches in the contest. The veteran wideout played just 22 of the Buccaneers' 78 offensive snaps Sunday, operating as the No. 4 receiver behind Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Russell Gage. It's clear Tampa Bay has been committed to limiting Jones' snaps in order to manage his lingering knee issues as the regular season comes to a close. If the 33-year-old can manage to see more playing time going forward, he'll look to bounce back in a Week 18 matchup against the Falcons.

Jan 4, 2023 5:01 AM EST


Active in Week 17

Jones (knee) is active for Sunday's Week 17 divisional clash against the Panthers, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Jones will play through his lingering knee issues for the second straight game after putting in limited practices throughout Week 17 prep. The veteran's presence won't necessarily equate to a significant downgrade to the prospects of No. 4 wideout Russell Gage, however -- in last Sunday night's overtime win against the Cardinals, Jones logged just 19 snaps to Gage's 43.

Jan 1, 2023 9:00 AM EST


Questionable for Week 17

Jones (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Analysis: He played through the injury last week but took only 24 percent of snaps as the No. 4 receiver in an overtime win over Arizona. It's possible Jones is stuck behind Russell Gage again even if he's active ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Dec 30, 2022 11:12 AM EST


Another limited showing

Jones (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Analysis: For a second week in a row, Jones is operating with a cap on his practice reps as he tends to a knee issue. He was able to return from a one-game absence this past Sunday at Arizona, turning a 24 percent snap share into one catch (on one target) for five yards. With fellow Bucs receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage all healthy at the moment, Jones doesn't hold much upside if he does end up active Sunday against the Panthers.

Dec 29, 2022 1:29 PM EST


Stays limited at practice

Jones (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday.

Analysis: Jones now has been dealing with a knee issue for three weeks running, but after sitting out Week 15 against the Bengals, he was able to play Sunday in Arizona after managing three straight capped sessions ahead of the contest. While he recorded one official target en route to a five-yard catch Week 16, he also had a touchdown called back due to penalty. Assuming he goes through a similar practice regimen this week, Jones will have a good chance to suit up Sunday versus the Panthers.

Dec 28, 2022 2:11 PM EST


Back in action Sunday

Jones (knee) is active for Sunday's contest at Arizona, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Analysis: Jones logged more on-field work Week 16 (three LPs) versus Week 15 (one LP), the latter of which he was inactive for last Sunday's loss to the Bengals. With his availability confirmed for this Sunday, he'll rejoin Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage as the top wide receivers for quarterback Tom Brady. Jones has compiled a 22-284-2 line on 39 targets in eight appearances for the Bucs this season, so his potential to produce is near its lowest point in his 12 years as a pro.

Dec 25, 2022 3:58 PM EST


Uncertain to play Christmas Day

The Buccaneers list Jones (knee) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Analysis: After sitting out last week's loss to the Bengals, Jones was listed as a limited participant in practices Wednesday through Friday. Because he was unable to advance to full activity, Jones will carry a designation into the weekend, and it's unclear if the Buccaneers expect him to gain clearance ahead of Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. If Jones is sidelined for a second straight game, Russell Gage -- who cashed in on 12 targets with eight receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns in Week 15 -- would likely start at receiver alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Dec 23, 2022 1:27 PM EST


Another limited showing

Jones (knee) was limited at practice Thursday.

Analysis: With back-to-back capped sessions under his belt this week, Jones may be building momentum for a return to action Sunday at Arizona. He missed this past Sunday's loss to the Bengals due to a knee injury, which contained him to one limited practice last week. Ultimately, Friday's injury report may paint a clearer picture of Jones' potential to play this weekend.

Dec 22, 2022 1:34 PM EST


Begins week as limited

Jones (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.

Analysis: Jones opened last week with back-to-back DNPs before returning in a limited capacity Friday and getting a questionable designation for Sunday's contest against the Bengals. The Buccaneers eventually made him inactive, which marked his sixth game missed of the season, but he appears to be in a better spot as the team kicks off Week 16 prep. Jones's status thus bears watching as the week continues to get a sense of his potential to suit up Sunday at Arizona.

Dec 21, 2022 1:58 PM EST


Inactive as expected Sunday

Jones (knee) is inactive for Sunday's Week 15 game against the Bengals, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Jones was trending downward heading into the weekend after only getting a limited Friday practice in during the past week. With the veteran wideout sitting out, Russell Gage will be in line to bump up to the No. 3 receiver role behind the starting duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in another must-win game for the Buccaneers.

Dec 18, 2022 11:59 AM EST


Not expected to play Sunday

While Jones (knee) may work out before Sunday's game against the Bengals, the wideout isn't expected to be available for the contest, a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1604501463807426560">Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Official confirmation of Jones' Week 15 status will arrive once Tampa Bay's inactives are posted ahead of Sunday's 4:25 ET kickoff, but if Jones is indeed unavailable, Russell Gage would be the top candidate to log added WR opportunities versus Cincinnati alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Dec 18, 2022 7:49 AM EST


Questionable after practicing

Jones (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis: His return to practice Friday, albeit as a limited participant, seemingly gives Jones a real shot to play. He had season highs for snap share (72 percent) and targets (eight) in last week's 35-7 loss to the Bengals, and he likely aggravated the PCL injury that bothered him earlier this season. Russell Gage should pick up more snaps and targets if Jones ends up inactive ahead of the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

Dec 16, 2022 1:21 PM EST


Another DNP on Thursday

Jones (knee) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Analysis: Previously, Jones sat out five times in a six-game span back in September and October with what was termed a PCL injury. It's unclear if his current concern is related to that issue, but he now has missed back-to-back sessions to kick off Week 15 prep. Friday's practice report may decide his fate for Sunday's contest against the Bengals, and if he's out or even limited this weekend, Russell Gage would be the top candidate to join Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in three-wide sets.

Dec 15, 2022 2:08 PM EST


Not spotted at practice Thursday

Jones (knee) wasn't present for the open portion of Thursday's practice and is expected to be listed as a non-participant, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis: Coming out of Sunday's blowout loss to the 49ers, the Buccaneers didn't indicate that Jones suffered any sort of setback with the knee issue that has previously cost him five games this season. However, Jones' absence from the first two practices of Week 15 suggests that he may be sitting out for more than maintenance-related reasons. If Jones ends up being ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals following Friday's practice or is otherwise deemed unlikely to play, Russell Gage would be the top candidate to join Chris Godwin and Mike Evans in three-receiver sets.

Dec 15, 2022 8:53 AM EST


Held out with knee injury

Jones (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis: This likely is related to the PCL injury that caused him to miss time in September and October. Jones saw a season-high targets and played a season-high 72 percent of snaps in Sunday's 35-7 loss to the 49ers, so this could be a setback or just a matter of rest. A return to practice Thursday/Friday would hint at the latter, and for a month now the Bucs have given Jones more work than Russell Gage as the No. 3 behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Dec 14, 2022 1:45 PM EST


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