Saints at Huge Advantage After Falcons Rule Out Julio Jones for Thanksgiving Game
By Scott Rogust
Entering Thanksgiving Day, the New Orleans Saints were heavily favored to defeat their NFC South rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, in primetime. More than an hour before kickoff, New Orleans saw their chances of victory increase significantly.
The Falcons announced that star wide receiver Julio Jones has been ruled out for the Thursday night game due to a shoulder injury.
#Falcons WR Julio Jones is inactive for tonight’s game against the #Saints. They planned to test his shoulder for strength before the game and the verdict left him out.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2019
On Thanksgiving Day, reports indicated head coach Dan Quinn ruled Jones a "true game-time decision" due to a shoulder ailment he picked up during this past Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With Jones out, that means the Falcons will be using second-year wideout Calvin Ridley in heavy doses.
To make matters that much worse for Atlanta and so much better for New Orleans, cornerback Marshon Lattimore has been activated for the game.
CB Marshon Lattimore is officially active tonight for the Saints after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. A big boost for New Orleans — even though he won’t be facing injured rival Julio Jones. ... Saints KR/WR Deonte Harris is also active. pic.twitter.com/54a9L5rfZ1
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) November 28, 2019
Jones' absence is a blessing for the Saints, as he leads the team in receiving yards (950) and receptions (64). While he only has four touchdowns on the season, his presence helped spread Atlanta's offense, leading to Ridley and tight end Austin Hooper to vulture touchdowns.
Now all the New Orleans secondary has to do is contain Ridley, and the Saints will be earning their 10th win of the season, inching that much closer to a playoff berth.