Julio Jones | Atlanta Falcons Tickets

Julio Jones Finally Gets on the Field With Falcons

BUFORD, Ga. (AP) — Julio Jones is starting to feel like a member of the Atlanta Falcons.

Jones, the NFL’s No. 6 overall draft pick out of Alabama, worked out at Buford High School Tuesday for the first time with quarterback Matt Ryan and other new teammates.

During the league’s lockout, Falcons players have routinely been running 7-on-7 passing drills at the school, but this marked Jones’ debut on a field.

Jones did not run full speed, deciding it was best to jog his routes and catch some easy passes. He’s still recovering from foot surgery on a stress fracture that was discovered after the NFL combine.

Orthopedist Robert Anderson, of Charlotte, N.C., cleared Jones to run early last week.

QB Matt Ryan Leads Falcons’ Workout During Lockout

BUFORD, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan says he doesn’t mind working as a player and a coach during the NFL lockout.

Such is life when players are not allowed to report to work and can’t talk to their bosses.

But the lockout hasn’t kept Ryan from trying to bring his teammates together. He gathered about 30 players for 7-on-7 drills — offense vs. defense — in a scripted session Tuesday on a high school field, 15 minutes south of the Falcons’ training complex.

Ryan says “this is just something to keep us sharp.”

It was the Falcons’ first time together on a field since losing to Green Bay in the playoffs.

Atlanta draft pick Julio Jones has attended some of the passing sessions Ryan has held with Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White, but neither came Tuesday.

Falcons Add Depth at Linebacker With Dent

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have added depth at linebacker with only their second pick in the NFL draft.

The Falcons had to be patient after moving up 21 spots to No. 6 overall and drafting Alabama receiver Julio Jones in the first round. After waiting 85 picks, Atlanta picked Georgia linebacker Akeem Dent in the third round on Friday night.

Dent provides insurance for the Falcons, who have Stephen Nicholas and 34-year-old Mike Peterson as free agents.

Dent (6-1, 233) led Georgia with 126 tackles and had 2½ sacks as a senior.

Dent started 29 games at Georgia, playing both outside and inside. He was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference pick as a senior.