Falcons Receiver Julio Jones Skipping Team’s Mandatory Minicamp

ATLANTA (AP) – The Atlanta Falcons are being forced to open their mandatory minicamp without Julio Jones, one of their most important playmakers.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff says the team was informed Monday that Jones will not be present when the three-day minicamp opens on Tuesday.

In a statement released by the team, Dimitroff described the situation with the wide receiver as “not ideal.”

Jones’ absence is a big surprise. Before Monday, coach Dan Quinn and others had said they were confident Jones would attend the minicamp despite missing the voluntary offseason program.

Jones still has three seasons remaining on his five-year, $71.3 million deal with $47 million in guaranteed money. His average salary now ranks behind several receivers.

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