Falcons think WR Julio Jones returns this week

The Falcons feel good about having wide receiver Julio Jones under their tree on Christmas Eve.

Jones has missed the last two games with a toe injury, but worked out before Sunday’s victory over the 49ers. Watching him go through that workout left coach Dan Quinn feeling good about the chances of Jones returning to the lineup against the Panthers on Saturday.

“I’m hopeful that he’s back,” Quinn said, via ESPN.com. “So, I think that he will [return]. We’re going to take it all the way through, practice Tuesday and Wednesday, and then we’ll have a good shot. But I am hopeful for that. I can’t say it’s for sure until he can explode like he can, but I think he’s a heck of a lot closer than he has been over the last two weeks.”

Good news for owners who have made this far in their playoffs without Jones. The Falcons played it safe with Jones and his turf toe, perhaps knowing they had two very winable games against the Rams and 49ers.