FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. _ Falcons linebacker Deion Jones was placed on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury in Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced Tuesday.
Jones played most of the game. He left for cramps, but not the foot injury. On Friday morning, he noticed that he foot was sore, and the team had it checked out.
He's set to have surgery, but is expected to return this season.
"Following the game last Thursday, Deion reported soreness in his foot, so we sent him for further tests," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. "We got the results of those tests back today, and he unfortunately will require a procedure that will result in us having to place him on injured reserve. We are bummed for Deion, but we do expect to get him back at some point this season."
Jones is the second key player on the Falcons' defense to be sidelined. Starting safety Keanu Neal is out for the season because of a torn ACL.
Jones was named to the Pro Bowl following the 2017 season and has played in 32 games since joining the Falcons as a second-round draft pick in 2016. He has totaled 253 tackles, including 14 for loss, seven interceptions, 23 passes defensed and one forced fumble. His seven interceptions are the most by a linebacker in the NFL since 2016.
The Falcons also promoted running back Brian Hill to the active roster, while also signing wide receiver Julian Williams to the practice squad. The team also waived defensive tackle Jacob Tuioti-Mariner from the practice squad.
