The Chicago Bears were one of the few lucky teams to escape last week’s Bloody Sunday without any major injuries. Although, they did lose defensive tackle John Jenkins for at least three weeks to a thumb injury. But they’ve certainly been more fortunate than others.
One of the teams that hasn’t been as lucky has been the Atlanta Falcons, whose injury report list this week has been quite long. And it hasn’t been without its notable names. The Bears might just catch a break in terms of injuries if some important starters can’t suit up.
The biggest name that’s dominated the injury report has been Falcons receiver Julio Jones, who didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday. Jones aggravated his hamstring in Atlanta’s brutal loss to the Dallas Cowboys, which makes his availability for Sunday’s game a question mark.
Julio Jones still held out of practice with hamstring; Kazee, Foye, Matthews limited. Injury report pic.twitter.com/PRr7tErPJO
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) September 24, 2020
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that Jones’ status is still very much in the air for Sunday.
From @GMFB: The status of #Falcons WR Julio Jones, battling a hamstring injury, is very much up in the air. pic.twitter.com/xLZIrUEBSM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2020
Jones is one of the best receivers in the NFL, and an integral part to the success of Atlanta’s high-flying offense. If Jones can’t go, that would put the workload on third-year wideout Calvin Ridley. Bad news for the Falcons, good news for the Bears.
While Ridley is off to an impressive start — 16 receptions for 239 yards and four touchdowns — he’s accomplished that as the No. 2 guy. If Jones doesn’t play, the target will be placed firmly on Ridley’s back.
