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.
Julio Jones, the Falcons’ star wide receiver, will play at New Orleans on Sunday, according to multiple media reports.
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).
Jones — who sat out team drills all week and was questionable — will be a tough test for the Saints, and at the minimum he will be a decoy New Orleans will need to account for. 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 prepared all week as if he was going to play, coach Sean Payton has said.
Another Falcon who was questionable, safety William Moore (foot), will play, per the NFL Network. Wide receiver Harry Douglas (foot) will play after being probable. Guard Jon Asamoah (back) will not be active, and Gabe Carimi will start in his place, the NFL Network added.
The Saints’ inactives have not been announced.
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.