Bucs Wide Receiver To Miss Game Against Former Team

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Atlanta Falcons Sunday in Week 5, but wide receiver Julio Jones won't get his chance at revenge. According to ESPN's Jeff Darlington, Jones will be unavailable for this afternoon's game.

I’m told Bucs WR Julio Jones (knee) will NOT play today against his former team. Source adds WR Russell Gage (back) WILL play against the Falcons.

So the Bucs will have Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Gage ready to roll — a hugely important trifecta for this Tampa squad.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) October 9, 2022

Jones has been a game-time decision for four consecutive weeks. He missed games in Week 2 and Week 3, but he played 18 snaps in the team's loss against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Injuries have been a persistent problem for Jones over the past few years. The wide receiver has missed 15 of a possible 37 games since 2019.

BRADY TO JULIO

📺: #TBvsDAL on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/xlZm1YHXQD pic.twitter.com/6Fcm5RfKx8
— NFL (back in London) (@NFL) September 12, 2022

Jones joined the Falcons as their sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and compiled an amazing 12896 receiving yards in 135 appearances for the team. The Falcons traded Jones to the Tennessee Titans in 2021, and the wide receiver has yet to face his former team. He should get at least one more chance: the Bucs and Falcons face off again in Week 18.