ATLANTA — Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones was declared out of the regular-season finale by the team Friday.
The Falcons (4-11) are set to play the Buccaneers (10-5) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
Jones has been battling a hamstring injury all season.
Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowl player, has played in nine games, but didn’t play much in two of those. So, basically in seven games, the team’s most potent weapon caught 51 passes for 771 yards and three touchdowns.
This will end a streak of six seasons with at least 1,390 yards receiving for Jones, who was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
With Jones not serving his role as the focal point of the offense, third-year wide receiver Calvin Ridley has blossomed with 82 catches for 1,322 yards and nine touchdowns. He was passed over for the Pro Bowl.
Also, returner Brandon Powell (foot) and cornerback Darqueze Dennard (quad) were declared out for the game. Center Alex Mack (reserve/COVID-19) is out.
Defensive end Charles Harris (personal matter) was declared questionable.