Julio Jones’ sprained toe is ahead of schedule. The initial plan was to rest the Falcons star receiver the entire week, but he returned to practice Friday on a limited basis.
Jones is expected to be full go next week in Houston for Super Bowl LI against the Patriots, along with Falcons center Alex Mack (fibula), coach Dan Quinn told reporters in Atlanta. Mack was the only Falcons player to miss practice Friday.
Jones sprained his toe in a Dec. 4 loss at the Chiefs and missed two regular-season games. He aggravated the injury in the division-round playoff victory over the Seahawks, and didn’t finish the game. However, his toe looked fine in the NFC Championship, when Jones torched the Packers for 180 yards on nine receptions and two touchdowns.
When asked about his health on Thursday, Jones said, “I feel great.”
Patriots safety Nate Ebner (concussion) and kicker Stephen Gostkowski (illness) didn’t practice for the second straight day. They are both listed as questionable, along with tight end Martellus Bennett (knee), running back Brandon Bolden (knee), linebacker Dont’a Hightower (shoulder), wide receiver Chris Hogan (thigh), wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (knee) and defensive end Jabaal Sheard (knee), all of whom practiced on a limited basis Friday.
Super Bowl LI will be an Alabama reunion for two players: Hightower and Falcons outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw. The two were roommates, Tennessee natives who grew close while at Tuscaloosa. They were on the Crimson Tide’s 2009 and 2011 national championship teams before entering the 2012 NFL Draft.
“That’s my ace,” Hightower told reporters this week. “We literally grew up together as far as the football aspect of it goes. It’ll be fun, it’ll be good. Hopefully I’m on the right side of it. It’s always good to have a guy on the opposite end just to talk a little smack [with] during the week.”