Falcons’ Jones to be camp hold-out

ATLANTA — Falcons star wide receiver Julio Jones does not plan to report for the start of the team’s training camp Thursday, according to a NFL Network report.

Jones can be fined $40,000 US a day for not reporting to training camp. The last Falcons player to holdout was wide receiver Roddy White back in 2009. He held out for six days.

Jones and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, were informed that he would not get a new contract after the All-Pro wide receiver skipped optional and mandatory offseason activities in a contract dispute. Jones’ current contract has three years remaining.

The Falcons told Jones they have not budgeted for a renegotiation this offseason and are focused on contract extensions for defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, left tackle Jake Matthews and free safety Ricardo Allen.

Jones was also told the team might be willing to rework his contract next year, one year before they typically work on extensions.

Jones is “comfortable sitting out the entire time,” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Falcons, considered Super Bowl contenders with Jones on board, are set to report to training camp by 4 p.m. ET Thursday. The first practice is Friday.

Jones did not participate in a mandatory three-day minicamp this summer after the market for wide receivers changed drastically in the offseason.

Jones signed a five-year, $71.2 million contract extension Aug. 31, 2015. The deal included $47 million in guaranteed money. He’s set to be the ninth-highest paid wide receiver in the league.

Browns ink top pick Mayfield

CLEVELAND — Baker Mayfield’s first win was beating the clock.

The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft signed his rookie contract on Tuesday with the Cleveland Browns, who believe the gun-slinging quarterback from Oklahoma can lead them back to respectability and more.

Mayfield finalized his four-year, $32-million US deal a day before Cleveland’s players are scheduled to report to training camp and avoided being a holdout. Mayfield’s contract includes a $22 million US signing bonus.