Atlanta Falcons: Deion Jones to miss the first quarter of the season

The Atlanta Falcons gave Deion Jones extended playing time in their final preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars suggesting Jones would start the season as a contributor for Atlanta. However, after making the initial roster Deion was transferred to the IR meaning the linebacker will be out for at least four weeks of the season.

Jones future with the team has been cloudy since the start of the off-season. After failing to trade the linebacker there were suggestions that Jones was going to be kept away from the team if his attitude became an issue. This suggested that perhaps part of the issue with Deion last season was attitude and effort and not simply a lack of a fit in the new system.

Those who watched the final preseason game saw this story contradicted as the broadcast discussed Deion. Pointing out that Jones had a great attitude and was willing to play and earn his way back into the starting lineup. What his role was going to be starting week one against the Saints was unclear before Jones was placed on the IR.

Meaning Jones is going to be out for at least four weeks with his shoulder injury he has been rehabbing this off-season and throughout the preseason. Deion obviously wasn’t fully healthy and will miss at least a quarter of the season for Atlanta.

Mykal Walker will look to replace Jones to start the season and get his first real chance at locking down a starting role. If Walker thrives in the defense in Atlanta’s first four weeks it will be interesting to watch how Atlanta decides to use Deion. The most likely avenue at this point seems to be playing Jones once he is healthy hoping he can play well enough to become a trade piece ahead of the deadline.  It seems this is likely his last season with the Falcons and Deion will end his season in another uniform.