Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones, who has been out since the first week of the season because of a broken right foot sustained against the Philadelphia Eagles, was back on the practice field on Wednesday.
Jones, who is on the Injured Reserve List, tested the condition of his injured foot last week, but did not take part in practice.
“We will begin practicing with Deion Jones today,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said before the team’s walk-through. “You won’t see him on the injury report because he’s technically not on the active roster. It’s the next step that we want to make with him.
“We are really pumped. He has worked extremely hard to get back. This is the next step for him, beginning the practice portion of his recovery. We are really fired up to get 45 back on the field.”
Jones is not eligible to come off injured reserve and play this week against the Cleveland Browns, but he could play in Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys if all goes well in practice over the next two weeks.
In addition to attending practices, Jones has been involved in team meetings and film sessions.
“Just really picking pick up where I left off and being prepared to do that,” Jones said. “I have been trying to help these guys out as much as I can.”
The losses of Jones, safety Keanu Neal, safety Ricardo Allen and running back Devonta Freeman contributed to Atlanta’s 1-4 start, but the Falcons have won their last three games.
