Tennessee Titans designate Julio Jones to return to practice from injured reserve

It appears the Tennessee Titans are starting to heal.

The Titans designated star wide receiver Julio Jones, safety Dane Cruikshank and rookie receiver Racey McMath to return to practice from injured reserve, the team announced Monday. The moves open their 21-day window to be activated.

There's no guarantee that Jones will be ready to play for the Titans (8-4) against the Jaguars (2-10) on Sunday (noon CT, CBS), but his imminent return is a boost to a receiver room decimated by injuries. Fellow star A.J. Brown (chest) remains on injured reserve and veteran Marcus Johnson (hamstring) is out for the season.

The 32-year-old Jones, acquired via trade in the offseason, had 21 catches for 336 yards in six games before a lingering hamstring issue landed him on injured reserve.

Before his IR stint, Jones' availability each week was a recurring question. The seven-time Pro Bowler was sidelined Weeks 4-5 and 8, then suffered a setback days before Tennessee's Week 10 showdown vs. New Orleans that landed him on injured reserve.

"We're just focused on today, seeing how he responds," coach Mike Vrabel said Monday of Jones' health.

Cruikshank had 32 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass defensed in nine games (four starts) before landing on IR on Nov. 13, the same day as Jones. A sixth-round rookie, McMath had been on IR since early October.

Outside of Jones, Cruikshank and McMath, 15 Titans players remain on injured reserve.

Tennessee on Monday also released outside linebacker John Simon from the active roster, signed linebacker Tuzar Skipper to the practice squad and removed practice-squad tight end Austin Fort from the COVID-19 list.

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: Tennessee Titans designate Julio Jones to return to practice from IR