The Atlanta Falcons' offense took a big hit in 2013 when Julio Jones, Roddy White and Steven Jackson all went down for injuries for either several weeks in the season or the entire year. Quarterback Matt Ryan was left with very little to work with and the results ended in a 4-12 record just a season after making it to the NFC Championship Game. Ryan is hopeful this does not occur two seasons in a row, but the Falcons might have to add one more receiver in order to help the effort.
Right now, all eyes are on Jones as he works back from a season-ending foot injury. Jones has not been at OTAs and likely will not be seen at mini camp as he continues to rehab the injury in his own offseason program. The Falcons are being patient with their leading receiver, but Jones is hoping to not be held back too much longer while targeting a Week 1 return date.
Jones told Sports Illustrated that he will be ready come Week 1 of the 2014 season. He is expected to participate in training camp, but will be severely limited as Atlanta tries to avoid any setbacks. Jones sounds very optimistic that being healthy for the start of the season is a realistic goal. He has started running routes and planting his foot noting that he is not experiencing pain during workouts and is not focused on regaining his stamina and overall fitness level he held prior to the injury.
"I'm in the OTAs right now. I'm going to all of the meetings," Jones said, via AJC.com. "I'm working out with all of the guys, but then also I get there earlier than those guys (because) you know I get treatment. I'm still getting treatment. I've been getting treatment for a while and also when those guys are out there doing OTAs, since the coaches don't want me running routes, I just go off to the side and do my own thing."
Jones is also currently reaching the end of his rookie contract. The Falcons opted to pick up his fifth-year option, meaning he is under contract until 2015. There was worry that the wide receiver's injury could hurt his negotiations for a max-contract, but everyone from Jones to general manager Thomas Dimitroff has denied that idea noting that Jones will not be headed anywhere else anytime soon.
"I will not get to free agency. They gave up a lot for me [in a pre-draft trade] and they know how hard I work. They're not going to let me go," Jones said.
There is still the issue of needed another receiver for the time being. According to SI.com, the Falcons could easily grab someone like Jermichael Finley, Dustin Keller or Santonio Holmes before training camp begins. All three players would come very cheap and salary cap friendly. Ryan would certainly love one more receiving option on the field considering what happened last year.