How Julio Jones' return can help Tennessee Titans QB Ryan Tannehill bounce back from recent struggles
With Julio Jones coming back, Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill said he’s looking forward to building on the chemistry he established with the seven-time Pro Bowl receiver before he landed on injured reserve last month.
After missing the last three games, Jones is eligible to be activated for the Titans (8-4) Sunday, when they host the Jaguars (2-10) at Nissan Stadium (noon CT, CBS).
Jones had 21 receptions on 31 targets for 336 yards in six games before he was placed on IR with a nagging hamstring issue. He returned to practice Wednesday with a sleeve over his right leg.
“Excited to get Julio back," Tannehill said. "We’ll have to build on things we’ve done in the past … It’s been a while since we’ve thrown and caught together. These practice reps will be huge."
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While the former Falcons superstar has had his moments in 2021 – he had a season-high 128 yards on six receptions in the overtime victory at Seattle in Week 2 – he’s so far fallen short of the expectations that came when he was acquired via trade in June.
Tannehill said he has had “spurts” of the kind of chemistry with Jones he envisioned when the former All-Pro first arrived in Nashville.
On top of the six missed regular season games, Jones was sidelined for three weeks during training camp.
"I can imagine if I was in that position, I’d be frustrated,” Tannehill said of Jones’ injuries. “Hoping to keep him healthy as the season goes on and build that consistency the more time we get together.”
Whenever he’s activated, Jones will provide a big boost for a Titans’ team hurting at the offensive skill positions. Stars Derrick Henry (foot) and A.J. Brown (chest) remain on injured reserve. Running back Darrynton Evans and receivers Marcus Johnson and Cam Batson are out for the season.
Jones, who has 869 catches for 13,232 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career, has led the league in receiving yards per game three times.
“Obviously, he’s a rare talent that’s done it at a high level for a very long time,” Tannehill said. “A guy with his speed, his size (and) his range can definitely make plays, which he’s shown for us at times this year. Hopefully, we can get him back and get him going again.”
Jones’ presence figures to help Tannehill, who has as many interceptions this year (13) as he had the previous two seasons combined. Injuries have left the Titans quarterback throwing to players he has fewer reps with in games.
“Everyone has a story,” Tannehill said when asked if he’s been pressing in the passing game. “At the end of the day, we all have to be on the same page. I have to be accurate with the football and make good decisions. That’s my charge moving forward and I look forward to it.”
Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What Tennessee Titans' Ryan Tannehill said about Julio Jones' return to practice
