As expected, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (hip) failed to practice on Wednesday after injuring his hip late in the loss Monday night to the Green Bay Packers. Even though he’s likely to sit out all week, however, Falcons head coach Mike Smith isn’t ready to rule him out from playing Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“He’s made a good turnaround [and] we’re not even 48 hours from the end of the game,” Smith said during his Wednesday conference call with the media, according to Scott Brown of ESPN.com. “We anticipate that he’ll continue to progress as the week goes on. We all know when you have your best players you have a better opportunity to go out and compete, and we’re certainly hoping that the turnaround continues and that we will have [Jones] on Sunday. Julio is one of the most competitive guys that I’ve ever been around.”
In addition to Jones sitting out Wednesday, cornerback Robert Alford (wrist) and safety William Moore (foot) also missed the walked through.
Limited Wednesday were guard Jon Asamoah (back), guard Justin Blalock (back), wide receiver Harry Douglas (foot), defensive tackle Paul Soliai (shoulder) and wide receiver Roddy White (ankle).
Practicing fully Wednesday was defensive end Stansly Maponga (elbow).
