Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, who is coming off foot surgery, will be limited in offseason workouts, coach Mike Smith said Tuesday.
“Julio is participating with our athletic performance department,” Smith said. “He will be able to get out on the field and do some walkthrough stuff with us when we start going. Our focus on Julio is one thing, and that’s having him prepared for our opener.
“He’s progressing well. We’re not going to do anything to hinder his timeframe in terms of getting back to work with us.”
Jones injured his foot in Week 5 last season and missed the remainder of the year.
The Falcons began voluntary offseason workouts this week. Smith said Jones will be able to take part in walkthrough drills on the field when OTAs get underway next month.
The Falcons have yet to exercise their fifth-year option on Jones, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2011 draft. He would make $10.176 million in 2015 if the option is picked up by May 3.
“I’m not going to talk about specific contractual situations,” Smith said. “I do know this: Julio Jones is going to be an Atlanta Falcon for a long, long, long time.”
The 25-year-old Jones is scheduled to make $2,581,875 in 2014 with a cap number of $5,149,375, according to ESPN.com.