The Atlanta Falcons are entering Week 14 with plenty of pressure on their backs. With the playoffs seemingly out of reach and the undefeated Carolina Panthers looking better than ever, the Falcons are desperate for some kind of positive momentum to help put the team in a better direction. With the offense struggling to do much of anything, things could get worse before they get better as Julio Jones deals with a knee injury.
According to ESPN's Vaughn McClure, Jones has been limited in practice with a knee injury. Jones reportedly suffered the injury against Tampa Bay and got treatment on it following the loss, but played it off to the media as no big deal. This is not the first injury Jones has suffered this season as he dealt with hamstring problems in the first few weeks and he managed to play through that. The expectation is that Jones will be on the field for Week 14 as he has already been hyping the matchup between him and the Carolina secondary.
The Falcons cannot afford to be without Jones. While the receiver has not scored a touchdown in the past four games, his presence on the field is the biggest need for Atlanta right now. He draws the secondary allowing Roddy White and recently Nick Williams to make necessary plays. If Jones were to be limited in Week 14, White and Williams along with Jacob Tamme will be the go-to targets for Matt Ryan.
There has been plenty said about the Falcons' offense in recent days as Jones and White have criticized the play calling while Ryan is reportedly unhappy with Kyle Shanahan as well. The quarterback downplayed those issues to the media earlier in the week making it clear that he and his coach have a solid relationship with one another and he simply needs to do a better job on the field.
"I believe we're going to win a lot of games together," Ryan said on 680 The Fan, via the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "Kyle and I have done a great job or working together all year. I feel really good about where we are at. Our production hasn't been there, but in terms of plays and all that kind of stuff, I feel really good about how Kyle and I have worked together this year."
With expectations low for the Falcons for the remainder of the season as their five-game losing streak continues, the team must find motivation somewhere. Devonta Freeman is no longer the home run threat on the ground while Jones is not getting the explosive plays he is used to. Something must change and it might not be easy to get it started against the Carolina Panthers.
