WR Jones increases practice field time

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons increased practice time for wide receiver Julio Jones on Sunday while the All-Pro wide receiver continues to recover from offseason foot surgery.

Jones had been working for five plays or less in the team’s 11-on-11 drills. He did not play in Thursday’s exhibition opener against the Dolphins and is not expected to play until the third exhibition game, Aug. 26 vs. Arizona.

“It was great for us and the team getting ( Julio) back,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said after practice. “He put the work in on the rehab front.”

Jones caught several passes in practice. “He looked fast,” Quinn said. “He looked explosive. He was somewhere (in) the six-to-eight (play range). We’ll go a few more than that.”

The Falcons will remain careful with Jones before they cut him loose.

Heat gets Freeman: Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman, who last week signed a five-year contract extension, left Sunday’s practice with a heat-related issue. He walked off the field under his own power with a member of the training staff about an hour and 20 minutes into the practice and did not return.

“I didn’t think he was going to come back,” Quinn said. “He had some heat stuff that he dealt with from the first practice and again today.”

Freeman received fluids after going to the locker room.

Linebacker Jermaine Grace was slowed by a hamstring injury but worked with trainers on the side. “Grace did a rehab run today,” Quinn said. “He had a strain of the hamstring. We’re hopeful that he’s going to return. He’s putting in the work for sure.”

Cornerback Akeem King was also held out of practice with an undisclosed injury and defensive end Martin Ifedi, working his way back from an injured ankle, did not practice. “We’ll take a look after (the) Pittsburgh (exhibition game on Sunday),” Quinn said. “We’re going to let his ankle settle down. It’s really not coming around as fast as he’d hoped.”

Running back Terron Ward, who led the Falcons is rushing with 48 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown against Miami, wore a black no-contact jersey in practice.

Defensive lineman Jack Crawford (groin) returned to practice. Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (lower leg) practiced after not playing against Miami.

Hageman’s strides: Defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman is quietly having a strong training camp.

“I’m very encouraged by him so far,” Quinn said. “He can move like a lighter player, but he plays at 320 pounds.”

Hageman, listed as Grady Jarrett’s backup at defensive tackle, had two tackles over 17 snaps against the Dolphins.

“We are real encouraged,” Quinn said. “He’s definitely somebody whose arrow is going up. I won’t say a pleasant surprise because I think we saw it coming. I think the intensity, his urgency to play, that part has been real.”

Hageman, who was selected in the second round of the 2014 draft, has made 15 starts over 44 NFL games. He had 18 tackles in 12 games last season while his role diminished. To fortify the position over the offseason, the Falcons added Dontari Poe for $8 million in free agency.