The Falcons announced Tuesday that linebacker Deion Jones was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury.
"Following the game last Thursday, Deion reported soreness in his foot, so we sent him for further tests," head coach Dan Quinn said in a statement. "We got the results of those tests back today, and he unfortunately will require a procedure that will result in us having to place him on injured reserve."
"We are bummed for Deion, but we do expect to get him back at some point this season. He represents all that we are looking for in a Falcon player, and while he will not be on the field for us right now, he will continue to have a presence in our building."
The bad news is Atlanta will go forward without Jones, who led the Falcons defense in tackles in 2017 en route to a Pro Bowl selection. With his nose for the football and ability to make big plays, Jones is arguably the Falcons' best defender and losing him is a blow for a defensive unit that ranked in the top 10 last season. With a view to make a run at the postseason, the Falcons will need to find a way to overcome his absence.
Jones could be one of two players the Falcons designate for return from injured reserve list. Jones, however, must spend at least six weeks on injured reserve and practice for two weeks before the Falcons make a determination to activate him to the active 53-man roster.
Jones, a second-round pick in 2016, has blossomed into one of the game's best linebackers. After Thursday's game, during which he grabbed an interception, he's now racked up seven picks and 170 solo tackles in 32 career games. According to Pro Football Focus, he was the league's best coverage linebacker a season ago.
