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The Atlanta Falcons returned to for their first Week 12 practice on Wednesday, and the injury report was a lengthy one. The team ruled out Austin Hooper and things are not trending positively for running back Devonta Freeman. The team was also without Matt Ryan (ankle) and Julio Jones (foot), but those were likely more maintenance days.
Ryan sprained his ankle in Week 7 and missed one game before the team’s bye. Jones’ foot injury is a new one, but he is a regular name on the injury report during the season with an assortment of ailments. He “did some light stretching and observed practice while walking with noticeable limp,” per beat writer Vaughn McClure. If Jones sits out all three practices this week, then is when you can start to worry about his Week 12 availability.
Fantasy football analysis: Falcons QB Matt Ryan, WR Julio Jones
No Austin Hooper and potentially no Devonta Freeman mean Ryan will be relying that much more on his wide receivers. The Falcons face a Bucs defense in Week 12 that has given up the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Jones is a must start, Calvin Ridley is a strong start, and Russell Gage even holds some fantasy value for this matchup.