Advocate staff photo by PATRICK DENNIS — Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) just misses catching a TD pass as New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) defends in the second half of the Saints’ 31-27 win at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome over Atlanta in 2012.
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Saints in New Orleans because of a hip injury, Atlanta announced Friday.
Despite missing last week because he was hurt, Jones is second in the NFL in receiving yards (1,428). He is also second on the Falcons in touchdown catches (six), behind only wideout Roddy White (seven).
Also questionable for the Falcons are safety William Moore (foot) and guard Jon Asamoah (back).
Jones — who sat out team drills all week — will be a tough test for the Saints if he’s healthy. He had 116 yards on seven catches in a 37-34 win for Atlanta over New Orleans at the Georgia Dome on Sept. 7. The Saints have prepared all week as if he is going to play, coach Sean Payton said Wednesday.
“Obviously the way Julio has been playing it is important to know where he is at on the field,” Payton said. “But I am sure they will be capable if he is not able to go so we have to prepare like he is playing.”
The Saints (6-8) can clinch a division title and a playoff berth if they beat Atlanta (5-9) and Carolina (5-8-1) loses to Cleveland (7-7) on Sunday. Alternately, they can be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose to Atlanta and Carolina beats Cleveland.