Julio Jones should sit for preseason

Oct 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) in the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Jets won 30-28. Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Julio Jones, enjoy August off. The Falcons receiver is targeting a week one comeback from his foot injury. Admirable, but here’s hoping the Falcons make the shrewd move let him sit out the preseason and make sure the former Pro Bowler is plenty ready. In an interview with USA Today, Jones said his goal is to be back by the first week. But as you can tell by his comments, even he’s not 100 percent convinced he’ll be at full speed.

"“It is a serious injury, and knowing that I broke the same bone in a different spot over the course of two years. So it’s a very serious matter, and we’re not trying to play with it. We’re taking all the precautions before throwing me back out there and just saying, ‘He’s ready to go.’ I feel great, I feel good, but at the same time, we have to take it slow because the season is still far away.”"

Jones injured the foot in an October loss to the Jets and was lost for the season. He suffered a similar injury in 2011. The Falcons’ four August preseason games are against the Dolphins, Texans, Titans and Jaguars, who were a combined 21-43 last year. Assuming Roddy White is back to full form, Harry Douglas can fill in as Matt Ryan’s No. 2 for a run against the AFC’s dregs during tune-up moth. That would give another full month of healing for Jones before the Saints come to town on Sept. 6. The smart choice is to shelve Jones and head into the Saints game. If we have to miss Jones for a month of games, let’s make it the preseason.