Bucs Wide Receiver Jones Could Face Former Team in Week 5

Few players have left a mark on a franchise as profound as Julio Jones has with the Atlanta Falcons. The team's all-time leading receiver earned seven Pro Bowls and brought the Falcons to the precipice of their first and only Super Bowl win in his 10 years with the organization. Now, for the first time since he was traded, Jones will do battle with his old team when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5.

Mike Evans on Julio Jones, with Atlanta in town Sunday: "In my opinion, he's the best Falcon in history. I'm happy he's on our side now though."

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 7, 2022

Jones is listed as questionable on the Bucs' final injury report, but he'll likely do all he can to take the field against the team he knows so well. Fellow wide receiver, former Falcon, and offseason addition Russell Gage should also play his old team for the first time.

If Jones and Gage have any hard feelings, they picked a good team with which to get revenge. The Bucs have swept the Falcons since quarterback Tom Brady has come to town, averaging 345.8 passing yards and 38.3 points per game in the four contests.

October 2, 2016: Falcons 48 Panthers 33

Matt Ryan: 29/37 503yds 4TDs
Julio Jones: 12rec 300yds 1TD pic.twitter.com/nta01I9bdo

— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) October 3, 2022

Jones initially joined the Falcons as their sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He compiled 12896 receiving yards across 135 appearances for the team, including a sensational six-year run where he average 104.6 yards per game. He has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, missing 16 of a possible 37 games since 2020, but has remained productive when available, averaging 61.0 yards and 10.4 yards per target over the same period.