The Patriots will get a much-needed offensive lift on Sunday. The Falcons may have lost their top target for the season.
Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones suffered a foot injury in Monday night’s 30-28 loss to the Jets that is feared to be season-ending. Jones, who leads the NFL with 41 catches and ranks second with 580 yards, did not get encouraging results from a visit with doctors Tuesday morning, according to coach Mike Smith, and will see a foot specialist Wednesday for a second opinion.
Meanwhile, Rob Gronkowski will make his season debut in New England’s showdown with the unbeaten Saints at Foxborough, according to a Pro Football Talk report. The dangerous tight end missed the offseason, preseason and the first five games of the regular season while recovering from a broken forearm, subsequent infections and back surgery. Dr. James Andrews will make the final call on Gronkowski’s availability.
Gronkowski will be a welcome sight for Tom Brady, whose streak of 52 straight games with a touchdown pass was snapped in the Patriots’ 13-6 loss to the Bengals last week.
Brady was without his top three receivers from 2012 to start this season with Gronkowski hurt, Wes Welker signing with the Broncos and Aaron Hernandez jailed on a murder charge.
The Patriots are still 4-1 and atop the AFC East, one game clear of the Jets and Dolphins. Gronkowski had 55 catches for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns in 11 games last year.